The German President Joachim Gauck expressed a solidarity towards the Baltic states and promised to provide Berlin’s support in ensuring their safety.  "Germany stands by our Baltic friends and allies," Gauck said during a meeting with the presidents of the Baltic States in Riga.

Gauck expressed a concern about the tense relations with Russia over the situation in the eastern Ukraine. The German president spoke about a danger of the misinformation campaign carried out by Moscow. The parties discussed the issues facing the EU, such as the flow of immigrants, Brexit, and troubling unemployment rates among the youth in some countries.

Gauck’s visit to Riga is his last trip overseas as the president of Germany. On February 12, the German Federal Council will elect a new president. The main candidate for this position is the former Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.