Regional Leaders Meet in Jurata for Informal Summit

Leaders from five Central and Eastern European nations convened in Jurata, Poland, for an informal summit hosted by Polish President Karol Nawrocki. Presidents Gitanas Nausėda of Lithuania, Edgars Rinkēvičs of Latvia, Alar Karis of Estonia, and Nicușor Dan of Romania joined Nawrocki for discussions focused on regional cooperation and security.

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Europe must respond with real capabilities.

The summit, held at the presidential residence in Jurata after a visit to the Gdynia Naval Port, centered on coordinating common positions ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara on July 7-8. Discussions addressed priorities for regional cooperation, security in the Baltic and Black Sea basins, and crucial aspects of transatlantic relations. The participating presidents are active in formats like the Bucharest Nine and the Three Seas Initiative.

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We focused on Russia's war with Ukraine and the increasing hybrid threats on the eastern border. We urgently need to strengthen NATO's eastern flank and air defense.

Lithuanian President Nausėda emphasized the need to strengthen defense and security cooperation, particularly in light of Russia's war in Ukraine and escalating hybrid threats. He called for reinforcing NATO's eastern flank and air defense, stating, "Europe must respond with real capabilities." The leaders also supported strengthening EU security efforts, including initiatives like Eastern Flank Watch, Baltic Defense Line, and Eastern Shield.

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We also supported strengthening the European Union's actions in the security area, including the Eastern Flank Watch initiative, as well as the Baltic Defense Line and Eastern Shield initiatives.

Similarly, the Latvian presidential office reported that the leaders focused on deepening regional cooperation and security issues in the Baltic and Black Sea regions. They agreed on the necessity of bolstering air defense and the eastern border, while also discussing key elements of transatlantic relations. Estonian President Karis highlighted the discussions on the Ankara NATO summit, support for Ukraine, and enhanced regional ties for collective security.

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The leaders of the states discussed Russia's aggression against Ukraine and the growing risk of hybrid threats on the external borders of NATO and the EU. The presidents agreed on the need to strengthen air defense and the eastern border, and also discussed the most important aspects of transatlantic relations.