Abe Confirm Cooperation with 2 More Baltic Leaders over N. Korea

January 14, 2018

Vilnius, Lithuania- Visiting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Saturday confirmed cooperation with leaders of two more Baltic states in dealing with North Korea.

North Korea has fired missiles that put the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius within range, posing a threat to Europe at large, Abe told Lithuanian Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis.

Skvernelis replied that North Korea should refrain from taking actions that may heighten tensions.

Earlier in the day, Abe met with Latvian Prime Minister Maris Kucinskis in the country's capital of Riga.

They agreed on the need to maximize pressure on North Korea and the importance of resolving the issue of abduction of citizens kidnapped to the reclusive country. Latvia has imposed tougher sanctions on North Korea than those by the European Union.

The summits with the two Baltic states came after Abe on Friday held talks with his Estonian counterpart, Juri Ratas, and agreed to work together over North Korea.

In Vilnius, Abe and Skvernelis agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the areas of science and technology, medicine and goods distribution under the newly created framework of dialogue between Japan and the three Baltic states. To Lithuania, Japan is the biggest export destination in Asia.

They also concurred that the two countries will expand exchanges between citizens mainly through their working holiday program.

At the summit in the Latvian capital, Abe and Kucinskis shared a view on the importance of maintaining international order based on the rule of law, apparently bearing in mind China's maritime expansion.

They also confirmed cooperation in maritime security affairs. The Latvian defense minister is set to visit Japan in February.

Ahead of the summits with the Latvian and Lithuanian leaders, Abe made courtesy calls on the two countries' presidents. Jiji Press