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The Presidents of the Baltic States met in Riga04.07.2002
President of the Republic Arnold Rüütel is in Riga where he this afternoon met with President Vaira Vike-Freiberga of Latvia and President Valdas Adamkus of Lithuania.
As noted with satisfaction by the Baltic Heads of State, the today's meeting expressed, first of all, accord and the will to work together in the name of our common goals. According to the Presidents, at least to one of these goals - to be invited to join NATO - Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania had come very close.
The Heads of State also discussed how to continue the co-operation between the Baltic States after, in November, the accession invitation would have been received from the Prague Summit of NATO. In President Rüütel's opinion, in the interests of future, the co-operation between our three Parliaments ought to be streamlined.
 Subsequent to the tripartite meeting the Baltic Heads of State met representatives of the US Senate. Also during this discussion, the main subject was the forthcoming NATO enlargement. Senators Trent Lott, Robert Bennett, Craig Thomas, Jim Bunning and Benjamin Nelson assured that they had come to Riga to encourage the Baltic States in their aspirations, and in pursuit of opportunities to further the Baltic-US relations.
In addition, the relations of the USA and the Baltic States with Russia were touched upon, noting that there were signs of improvement. President Arnold Rüütel expressed support to the US Government's policy towards Russia and voiced hope that Estonian efforts in the same direction, based on the principles of goodwill, would similarly bear fruits.
The US Senators expressed to the Baltic States their gratitude for the participation in the united anti-terrorist front.
In the evening, the Heads of State of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, the US Senators, and the delegations participating in the Riga Summit of the NATO aspirant countries attended a Holocaust commemoration ceremony.
Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, July 4, 2002
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