EU – Baltic States, Latvia, Legislation, Security, Technology

Anders Fogh Rasmussen and Valdis Dombrovskis. Riga, 6.11.2013. Photo: flickr.com

The Prime Minister expressed his conviction that the establishment of the NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence in Riga will provide Latvia with the opportunity to increase its contribution to improving NATO’s common defence capabilities. The Head of the Government of Latvia also emphasized Latvia’s readiness to actively participate in increasing the cyber defence capabilities of the Alliance that was welcomed by A.F. Rasmussen, who called on Latvia to involve in improving the NATO’s cyber defence strategy in order to approve it during the NATO Summit to be held in London in September 2014, informs BC press secretary to the Prime Minister Martins Panke.

The officials discussed the ongoing NATO exercises “Steadfast Jazz 2013” and “Baltic Host 2013”. The Secretary General appreciated Latvia’s professional support and initiative in organizing this training. As to the scope and objectives, this can be considered as the most significant NATO’s training operation over the last decade.

A.F.Rasmussen stressed that after the conclusion of the NATO’s mission in Afghanistan, the key focus in NATO’s work will be on the modernization and training of the armed forces, therefore, it is important for the Member States to provide the funding necessary for these objectives.

V.Dombrovskis confirmed Latvia’s readiness to continue increasing the funding for the defence sector to ensure that in 2020 it amounts to 2% of GDP. The Prime Minister pointed out that, in 2014, the funding for the defence sector will increase by 10% compared to this year that, among other things, will allow the armed forces to launch new capacity building.  

The Prime Minister and A.F.Rasmussen also discussed the forthcoming EU’s Eastern Partnership Summit to be held this month in Vilnius. The officials agreed that it is necessary to do everything possible to ensure, during the Summit, the progress in creating closer relationships between the EU and Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova and other countries.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the NATO Secretary General expressed gratitude to Latvia for its participation in the NATO’s military mission in Afghanistan, stressing that the Latvian forces contribute significantly to attaining the objectives of the mission.

A.F.Rasmussen praised Latvia’s accomplishments in the area of economic development as evidenced by the opportunity attained by Latvia to join the euro area in 2014. V.Dombrovskis, in his turn, expressed gratitude for NATO’s contribution to ensuring the Baltic Air Policing that is one of the most striking examples of the Alliance’s solidarity and collective defence.