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Friday, 29.03.2024, 12:41
U.S. Congressmen confirm strong support for Latvia’s security
Photo: mfa.gov.lv |
In the course of the conversation, Andrejs Pildegovičs emphasized the
important role of support from the U.S. Administration and Congress for
Latvia’s security interests and called on the U.S. to sustain its military
presence in Latvia. State Secretary Pildegovičs reaffirmed that Latvia for its
part is prepared to provide its contribution to the strengthening of security
by ensuring an increase in the defence budget to 2% of GDP in 2018.
U.S. congressmen affirmed their unwavering commitment to Latvia’s security.
The same message, in very clear and direct terms, was sent to the Baltic States
by U.S. Vice President Mike Pence in
his meeting with the Presidents of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia in Tallinn on
31 July. U.S. congressmen appreciated what Latvia has accomplished in its
national development, which opens good opportunities for Latvia to share this
valuable experience with countries that have just embarked on the path to
reform. Andrejs Pildegovičs called on the United States Congress to continue
supporting development cooperation programmes with the Eastern Partnership and
Central Asian countries. Latvia is interested in taking forward the ongoing
successful partnership with the U.S. in cooperation for development.
The State Secretary and the U.S. congressmen also discussed how Latvia and
the U.S. can cooperate on the prevention of hybrid threat, in the energy
security, and enhancing economic cooperation and trade contacts.
The delegation from the Readiness Subcommittee of the United States House
Committee on Armed Services including Joe Wilson, Madeleine Bordallo, Paul Cook, John Garamendi, and Jackie Walorski had arrived in Latvia
on 1 August as part of a regional visit. The congressmen had meetings with the
Speaker and Members of the Saeima (the Latvian Parliament) and the Minister of
Defence. The delegation also visited a military base at Lielvārde.