Latvia, Legislation, Security, USA

International Internet Magazine. Baltic States news & analytics Friday, 29.03.2024, 09:05

Latvia involved in international coalition to fight against "Islamic State"

BC, Riga, 23.09.2014.Print version
In order to coordinate the international community's fight against the Jihadist organization "Islamic State" (IS), the United States, in collaboration with its allies, has formed an international coalition, which also includes Latvia, the Foreign Affairs Minsitry's spokesman Karlis Eihenbaums told LETA.

"After evaluating the events of the past few weeks in Iraq and Syria, Latvia believes that the terrorist organization is a serious threat to Middle East security, as well as threat against its allies and partners in the entire world, including Latvia," Eihenbaums said, explaining that IS has demonstrated its inhuman, criminal, and barbaric nature which has led to loss of life and tragic humanitarian fallout in the entire region.

 

"About forty countries, including the Baltic States, have expressed readiness to provide support to the international coalition. Latvia expresses its strongest support to the United States' initiative to join the fight against IS," Eihenbaums added.

 

Latvia is ready to offer humanitarian aid to the civilians in the conflict region, as well as to review other options.

 

"At the same time, Latvia will secure all the necessary national measures in order to eliminate recruiting of foreign militants in Latvia, involvement of Latvian citizens in military conflicts abroad, and other support measures to terrorists," Eihenbaums indicated.

 

When asked whether the ministry has information about any Latvian citizens who are fighting on IS's side, Eihenbaums replied that there is no such information, and that "we must carry out national measures in order to prevent it."

 

In commenting on IS's statement, which urges its supporters to kill citizens of those countries that are involved in the United States' coalition against the Jihadists, Eihenbaums said that the ministry is working to update consular information about Iraq and Syria.

 

The Foreign Affairs Ministry strongly recommends tourists stay clear of Syria, and urges tourists in Syria to return to their home countries. The ministry also urges avoiding Iraq, and strongly recommends any person who goes abroad to acquire a life and health insurance policy, which stipulates repatriation of a person in case of illness or death.






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