EU – Baltic States, Latvia, Legislation, Markets and Companies, Security

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The Foreign Minister welcomed the establishment of the federation and the objectives it has set and outlined preferable directions for cooperation. "The LFSDI could contribute to the formulation of Latvia's position in preparing for the European Council of December 2013, which is to deal with the European Union's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), including possibilities for strengthening the industry," the Minister recognised. He called for making use of the visits abroad by Latvia's senior officials and taking part in business delegations to build contacts with business people of the respective countries.

Minister Rinkēvičs expressed support for the LFSDI's membership in the NATO Industrial Advisory Group (NIAG). Minister Rinkēvičs also pointed out that it was necessary to ensure the commercialisation of the Northern Distribution Network after 2014 when the character of NATO's engagement in Afghanistan would change. Such an adaptation of the NDN would bring economic benefits both to Latvia and the region's countries as well as opening an opportunity for Latvian business people to share in their knowledge and competitive products.

Both parties recognised that they were interested in developing cooperation and agreed on maintaining regular contacts in future.

The Latvian Federation of Security and Defence Industries was established in Riga on 7 March 2013. The founders include companies from various sectors and of different scale: Komerccentrs Dati Grupa, Lattelecom, Latvijas Dzelzceļš, Felix Holding, DDupleks, Grandeg, Baltic Id, Tilde and HSM Frēzēšanas darbnīca.

The Council Chairman of the Federation is Agris Dundurs (Board Member of D Dupleks) and the Chairman of the Board is Elīna Egle (Board Chairman of Baltic Id).