Save the Date – NB8 Economy and Industry Ministers’ Meeting

REPuBLIc OF EsT0NIA MINIsTRY OF EcoNoMIc AFFAIRs AND C0MMuNIcATI0Ns

Viktors Valainis Ministry of Economics of the Republic ofLatvia Our Rcf: 05.03.2026 No 6-4/834-1

Brivibas iela 55 LV-1519, Riga, Latvia

Save the Date — NB8 Economy and Industry Ministers’ Meeting

Dear Mr Valainis,

In 2026, Estonia has the honour of serving as the Chair of the Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8). In this role, we would like to bring together NB8 Ministers responsible for economy and industry for a strategic and forward-looking discussion on how our region can strengthen its economic and industrial contribution to security, resilience and growth.

Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine has fundamentally changed Europe’s security environment. It has also underscored a reality that is directly relevant to us: security today depends not only on military capabilities, but increasingly on industrial capacity, resilient supply chains, and the ability to mobilise investment and innovation at speed.

The Nordic-Baltic region is a deeply integrated and like-minded economic area of 33 million people and, taken together, represents the world’s lOth-largest economy. Acting together, NB8 countries have the scale, technological capability and capital to play a leading role in developing defence and dual-use industries, supporting Ukraine, and strengthening Europe’s long-term competitiveness.

Against this background, 1 would like to invite you to save the dates of 2 1—22 September 2026 for an NB8 Ministers’ meeting to be held in Tallinn alongside Estonian Defence Week (2 1—25 September 2026).

O 22 September 2026 wilI be the core day of the meeting, including a closed ministerial discussion, engagement with the Estonian Defence Week EXPO, and a joint public panel discussion at the Estonian Defence Industry Symposium.

O 1 would also be delighted to host an informal dinner for NB8 Ministers on the evening of 21 September.

We encourage Ministers to attend together with defence-focused business delegations. Bringing political leadership and industry together will allow us to move beyond general discussions and focus on concrete cooperation opportunities, including cross-border partnerships, joint investments, and industrial collaboration within the NB8 region.

Suur-Ameerika 1 / 10122 Tallinn / ESTONIA Phone: +372 625 6342 / Fax: +372 631 3660 / E-mail: [email protected] / http://www.mkm.ee

A detailed programme and a formal invitation will follow in due course. For the time being, 1 would be grateful ifyou could indicate whether you are able to reserve these dates in your calendar. Should you have any questions or wish to share your initial availability, Peeter Kadarik would be delighted to serve as the contact point (peeter.kadarik(mkm.ee). More information about Estonian Defence Week can be found at: www.edw.ee

1 very much look forward to welcoming you to Tallinn in September 2026.

With best regards,

Erkki eido Minister of Economy and Industry

Peeter Kadarik +372 5886 2963 [email protected]

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