Other events in Baltic States

According to information obtained by LETA, Canadian forces could head the NATO battle group which will be deployed to Latvia.

National Armed Forces Commander Raimonds Graube and Defense Minister Raimonds Bergmanis (Greens/Farmers) did not confirm this to LETA, only pointing out that consultations with NATO allies continues and that ''discussions are ongoing with all allies''.

''We will find the answers we seek at the NATO Summit, and then we will launch the necessary procedures with this country on moving forward with the plan,'' Graube said.

Meanwhile, Foreign Ministry State Secretary Andrejs Pildegovics was in Canada this week, where he met with various top officials at the Canadian Foreign Ministry.

Pildegovics was evasive when questioned by LETA whether Canada could lead the NATO battalion in Latvia, but added that ''Canada is seriously considering deploying its forces in the region''.