Arraiolos Group, Digital Summit and Arvo Pärt: German President visits Estonia
by Alexander Welscher
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has add another trip io his already long list of visit to the Baltic States. During his two-day visit to Estonia on 9 an 10 October 2025, Steinmeier attended the annual meeting of the so-called Arraiolos Group which brings together heads of state with non-executive powers. He also gave a speech at the Tallinn Digital Summit.
Meeting with Steinmeier in Kadriorg, Estonian President Alar Karis praised Germany for its leading role in European security." I have commended Germany for its contribution to the defence of NATO's eastern flank, its support for Ukraine and its leading role in European security," Karis said after their conversation in Tallinn. At a reception at the residence of the German ambassador, the Estonian president also thanked his German counterpart for his personal commitment. "You are the German head of state who has visited Estonia most often," Karis said.
For his part, Steinmeier emphasized that Germany and Estonia are partners in the EU and allies in NATO, and referred to the recent Russian violations of Estonian airspace. "We stand together for freedom, for Europe, for our common values," he said, adding that Karis' presence at the celebration of the German Unity is a "wonderful token of the friendship between our two countries"
Steinmeier and his wife Elke Büdenbender also visited the Arvo Pärt Centre, where world-famous Estonian composer Arvo Pärt himself gave them a tour of the centre, which was opened in his honour. Shortly after his 90th birthday, Pärt was presented by the presidential couple with a facsimile edition of Johann Sebastian Bach’s “St. Matthew Passion". The autograph manuscript is held at the Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin – Preussischer Kulturbesitz.
Discussing NATO front-line security
by Alexander Welscher
On his first foreign trip of the new year, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has hailed the Bundeswehr brigade deployed to Lithuania as a clear sign of NATO solidarity and a strong signal to Russia. "This is not only about defending the freedom and security of Lithuania, but also the freedom and security of Europe and thus also Germany," he said after paying a visit on 5 January 2026 to the 45th Armoured Brigade in Nemenčinė near Vilnius.
The fact that Germany has for the first time stationed a force of this kind abroad is "a sign of the seriousness of the situation, but also of the seriousness of our decision to stand by our friends and allies," Wadephul said, repeating his statement that he made prior to his departure to Vilnius where he met Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė and Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys. Togeher with his counterpart the conservative German politician also visit the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights.
Visiting the troops in Lithuania is also "a truly moving moment" for him personally, Wadephul said, who is himself a reserve officer of the German Army. In June 2023, the member of parliament and then deputy chairman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the Bundestag participated as a reservist in a NATO exercise in Lithuania. During this time, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel by Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD).
Wadephul thanked Lithuania for the "immense trust and great hospitality" shown by the population towards the soldiers. This cannot be taken for granted, he said, referring to the German occupation of Lithuania during World War II and the crimes committed by Nazi forces.
Building new relations on centuries-old ties
by Alexander Welscher
Saxonia-Anhalt and the Baltic States have long-standing cultural historic ties which are now are about to be further developed in the economic sphere. Following a visit to Riga and Vilnius, the German State´s Prime Minister-Reiner Haseloff intends to expand economic relations with Latvia and Lithuania, where he held meetings with entrepreneurs and the economics ministers Viktors Valainis (Latvia) and Edvinas Grikšas (Lithuania).
The aim is to explore and foster connections with the cross-border research institution "Center for the Transformation of Chemistry" (CTC) and the chemical industry, Haseloff said during a visit to the laboratory equipment manufacturer Biosan in Riga. The program also included a visi to a laboratory at the Institute of Microbiology and Virology at Riga Stradiņš University.
Security was another key topic at several meetings during the three-days-visit from 13 to 16. October. Haseloff called for more cooperation in energy and in the development and testing of drones. Beyond the civilian sector of drone research, more needs to be done to expand resilience and defense capabilities, said Germany longest-serving Prime Minister, who also paid a visit to the Bundeswehr brigade in Lithuania.
In a very special moment, Haseloff presented a copy of Martin Luther's 1525 letter to the Latvian National Library, highlighting the historical connection of his country and Baltic States through the Reformation and printed books . The links were also futher stressed some weeks later during the celebration of the first book in Latvian that was printed 500 years ago - possibly in Wittenberg in Saxony-Anhalt.
Building bridges across the Baltic Sea
by Alexander Welscher
Schleswig-Holstein's Prime Minister Daniel Günther is seeking even closer cooperation with partners around the Baltic Sea after visits to Finland and Estonia. "In Schleswig-Holstein, we traditionally maintain close ties with our neighbors and friends around the Baltic Sea. Since Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine and its aggression against EU and NATO countries, we must consider our economic and security interests even more closely together, especially in the Baltic Sea region," Günther said about his trip to Helsinki and Tallinn from 24 to 28. November.
The shared goal is peace and prosperity, and a strong partnership is therefore more important than ever. "Protecting critical infrastructure, ensuring the resilience of our supply chains, and maintaining the defense capabilities of the maritime area are challenges we must address together." The current situation demonstrates the vulnerability of maritime infrastructure. "This makes close cooperation - politically, economically, and in terms of security -all the more important", the Prime Minister of the Nothern German State emphasized.
Estonia's clear stance against threats to the European peace order and its commitment to security and resilience in the Baltic Sea region make it a natural and reliable partner, also for Schleswig-Holstein. "There are many points of contact for further collaboration. We also saw this in our discussions with the AI company Frankenburg in Tallinn, which develops AI-supported anti-drone missiles that can be produced quickly and cost-effectively," said Günther, who was accompanied by a 40 member strong delegation of representatives from business, science, and politics.
Other key topics on the agenda included digitalization, energy, security, the defense and maritime industries, and environmental protection. Schleswig-Holstein's Prime Minister held political talks with Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, Digitalisation Minister Liisa-Ly Pakosta, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Climate Marten Kokk and with Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur, while the delegation discussed further deepen and expand economic, scientific, and political cooperation in the Baltic Sea region.
