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From 25 to 26 March 2026, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Andžejs Viļumsons, was on a working visit to the United Kingdom. The purpose of the visit was to strengthen bilateral dialogue with the United Kingdom, as well as to promote closer cooperation and coordination among like-minded countries. Together with the representatives of the Baltic and Nordic countries (NB8) and the United Kingdom, Andžejs Viļumsons discussed current security policy issues at the Aurora Forum and met with officials and security policy experts from the United Kingdom and Norway.
Andžejs Viļumsons took part in a panel discussion at the Aurora Forum on strengthening European security and cooperation between the NB8 and the United Kingdom in response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. The State Secretary also participated in an NB8–United Kingdom roundtable discussion on European security and support for Ukraine, chaired by the Minister of State of the United Kingdom for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories, Stephen Doughty. At the conclusion of the discussion, a joint statement was adopted, affirming the commitment to continue close cooperation between the NB8 and the United Kingdom.
During the working visit, the State Secretary held bilateral talks with UK officials: the Minister of State Stephen Doughty; the Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Sir Oliver Robbins; as well as the UK Deputy National Security Adviser, Dame Barbara Woodward. During the meetings, the participants discussed current security and defence policy issues, Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the strengthening of transatlantic relations, and cooperation between the European Union and the United Kingdom.
The talks paid particular attention to strengthening European defence capabilities, the security of NATO’s eastern flank, as well as increasing pressure on and containing Russia, and coordinating sanctions policy against Russia, including measures targeting the shadow fleet. The need to continue comprehensive support for Ukraine was also emphasised, including within the scope of the international Drone Coalition led by Latvia and the United Kingdom, and through joint work in the Coalition of the Willing.
During the visit, the State Secretary also met with Rachel Ellehuus, Director General of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), to discuss current security policy challenges and the development of transatlantic relations.
Additionally, Andžejs Viļumsons held a bilateral meeting with the State Secretary to the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eivind Vad Petersson, at the Aurora Forum, during which the officials discussed regional security and cooperation within the NB8 framework.