In honour of the 30th anniversary of inter-state partnership, on Monday, the 17th of July, Latvia’s Minister of Defence Ināra Mūrniece, during her visit to Washington, will be participating in a conference organised by US Department of Defence’s National Guard Headquarters, as confirmed by Latvian Ministry of Defence.
On Tuesday and Wednesday Latvian minister will meet with representatives of the US Congress and Senate.
The ministry notes that this year marks 30 years since the establishment of the partnership programme between Latvia and the Michigan National Guard. The main objectives of this programme was assisting Latvia in developing its armed forces and especially the National Guard after the restoration of independence.
Latvian National Armed Forces work together with the Michigan National Guard in various international peacekeeping operations and military exercises, as well as in training of Latvian troops and instructors.
During the conference dedicated to the 30th anniversary of this partnership it is planned to address global security challenges, future cooperation, security of cyber and information space. It is also planned to discuss climate change and protection against modern security challenges.
The conference will be attended by representatives of the US Department of Defence, member states of the National Partnership programme and security experts.
On Tuesday, the 18th of July, Mūrniece will meet with Mike Rogers, Chairman of the Armed Forces Committee of the US House of Representatives and committee representative Elissa Slotkin, as well as Michael Turner, chairman of the US House of Representatives Intelligence Committee, to discuss the existing geopolitical situation together with the Russian-Ukrainian war, as well as Latvian-US cooperation in the development of the defence sector.
On Wednesday, the 19th of July, Latvia’s minister will meet with Chuck Grassley, Co-Chair of the U.S. Senate Baltic Support Group, to discuss the cooperation between the two countries in the defence sector.
Mūrniece has plans to meet with US National Guard Commander General Daniel Robert Hokanson to discuss the established cooperation between Latvian National Armed Forces and Michigan National Guard.
The Ministry of Defence stresses that US is Latvia’s long-standing strategic partner and ally that plays an important role in ensuring Latvia’s security.
Relations between Latvia and the US are based on common values and security interests. Latvia works with US in NATO and other multi-sided formats the goal of which is enhancing security.
As previously reported, at the end of 2022 US Congress approved USD 225 million for all three Baltic states as part of the Baltic Security Initiative in 2023.
US has approved plans for expansion of military presence in Baltic States.
Also read: Bulgarian president’s statements anger Ukraine