Joint statement by the Nordic-Baltic countries

As delivered by the Permanent Representative of Iceland Helga Hauksdóttir at the Permanent Council, Vienna, 24 October 2024

Thank you,

I am delivering this statement on behalf of the eight Nordic-Baltic
countries. We fully align with the statement of the European Union but
would like to add a few remarks to inform this council on the recent visit
of the Nordic and Baltic Foreign Ministers to Moldova on October 15th
and Odesa, Ukraine, on October 16th.

Madame Chair,

The delegation was received in Odesa by Ukraine’s Minister for Foreign
Affairs Andrii Sybiha and also met with the Governor of Odesa Oblast,
Oleh Kiper.

The visit to Odesa, was a manifestation to show our countries’
unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial
integrity.

The Nordic-Baltic countries stand together as a united and strong force
in supporting Ukraine against Russia´s war of aggression. We will,
together, do our utmost to support Ukraine in its heroic fight to win this
war.

We fully support Ukraine’s diplomatic efforts to achieve a just and lasting
peace based on international law including the UN Charter. Initiatives
that do not involve Ukraine, or that compromise its sovereignty and
territorial integrity, cannot succeed. We will never recognise Russia’s
illegal annexations of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea. Ukraine’s
Peace Formula remains the only credible framework and the only way
forward. We welcome in this regard the Mini-Summit under Ukraine’s
Peace Formula Point 5 on the Restoration of Sovereignty and Territorial
Integrity – that is led by Estonia, Ukraine and Argentina and held in the
margins of the Crimea Platform in Riga today, October 24th.
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Efforts to strengthen military and civilian support for Ukraine is key. We
will support Ukraine in the transformation of its defense industry. We
will support increased defense production in Ukraine, accelerating the
growth of the Ukrainian defense sector while boosting the economy.

During the foreign ministers’ visit to Ukraine, a substantial Nordic-Baltic
winter package was announced in response to Ukraine’s most pressing
needs due to Russia’s unprecedented, systematic and deliberate attacks
on Ukraine’s infrastructure. This support, and the already earmarked
support for next year, will strengthen Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure,
including energy, social resilience, health and humanitarian support.

Despite Russia’s ongoing aggression, Ukraine has made significant
progress on its path towards membership in the European Union, and
the Nordic-Baltic states will remain active supporters to Ukraine in its
continued journey toward EU membership.

We also welcome the concrete progress Ukraine has made since the
Vilnius and Washington Summits, and as Ukraine continues this vital
work, we will continue to support it on its irreversible path to full EuroAtlantic integration, including NATO membership.

The Nordic-Baltic states will continue to address the unlawful deportation
and forcible transfer of Ukrainian children by the Russian Federation and
support efforts for their safe return, and we welcome the Conference on
the Human Dimension of the Ukraine Peace Formula on 30-31 October in
Montreal, co-hosted by Canada, Ukraine and Norway.

We unequivocally condemn Russia’s violations of international
humanitarian law and human rights law, and our commitment to holding
Russia and its accomplices accountable for all crimes committed will
continue.

We also support all efforts of Ukraine and of the wider international
community to ensure Russia’s full accountability for the crime of
aggression. We stand united in ensuring the soonest possible
establishment of a Special Tribunal that would bring Russia’s political
and military leadership to account.

Madame Chair,

The Nordic-Baltic countries’ foreign ministers visit to Moldova on
October 15th showed support for Moldova’s reforms and resilience in the
3 (3) face of intensified Russian hybrid attacks. The delegation met with
Moldova’s Prime Minister Dorin Recean and Minister of Foreign Affairs
Mihai Popşoi. Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine has had a
significant humanitarian and economic impact in Moldova. We condemn
the repeated violations of Moldova’s airspace by Russian missiles and
drones.

Moldova’s resilience has been truly remarkable, as well as its generosity
towards Ukrainian refugees. The way Moldova is dealing with Russia’s
hybrid attacks, including disinformation, is impressive and we stand
ready to further support Moldova to enhance their capacity to counter
hybrid threats. We reaffirm our commitment to support the resilience,
security and stability of Moldova, bilaterally as well as through the EU.

Strengthening and deepening our security policy dialogue in the region
is a priority. In this spirit, we were pleased to sign a memorandum of
understanding with Moldova to strengthen institutional capacity and
encompassing cooperation, coordination and information sharing to
develop effective responses to shared challenges.

On Sunday October 20th, the citizens of Moldova exercised their
democratic right to vote in the first round of the presidential elections
and in the EU referendum. We commend the authorities for the
organisation of the electoral process and of the referendum in
accordance with democratic standards.

We welcome that Moldova has voted for European integration. The
Nordic Baltic countries will continue support Moldova’s reform efforts
on its path to the EU. We condemn the unprecedented malign
interference by Russia and its proxies to undermine the democratic
process in Moldova.

Thank you!