Statement by the Press Secretary on the Visit of Baltic Leaders

President Obama looks forward to welcoming President Toomas Hendrik Ilves of Estonia, President Dalia Grybauskaite of Lithuania, and President Andris Berzins of Latvia to the White House on Friday, August 30. This joint meeting will highlight the significant transformations the Baltic states have undergone since restoring their independence two decades ago. Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia are valued NATO allies, and the four leaders will discuss a broad range of mutual interests, including regional cooperation on shared challenges, energy security, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership negotiations, defense, and cyber cooperation. The Presidents will also discuss joint efforts to advance human rights and democratic values, including development assistance for emerging democracies around the world.