In Latvia, as funding of the defence sector rapidly goes up, an “unbalanced situation towards internal security forces” gradually forms, because people decide to leave the interior affairs sector to work in the defence sector, said Minister of Finance Arvils Ašeradens in an interview to LTV programme Rīta panorāma on Friday, the 3rd of November.
He said that the 2024 the state budget is an adequate response to the geopolitical and economic situation Latvia is in right now.
“The state budget includes a mechanism that allows us to move towards defence expenses reaching 3% of GDP. This is a very important mechanism. It’s a clear sign to potential aggressors and our partners that we are a responsible member of the collective security system,” said the minister.
As for unfinished tasks, Ašeradens noted that
security is the “biggest issue”,
because a rapid increase of financing for the defence sector or the army means an unbalanced situation towards interior affairs forces. Until now authorities were not able to find balanced financing for border guards, police officers and firefighters.
“This will be the objective in the near future – resolve the way we balance these issues, because otherwise we can see people leaving the interior affairs sector to work in the defence sector, where wages are better. This is one of the biggest problems,” said the minister.
At the same time, Ašeradens said Latvia’s budget for 2024 is a good one. “The budget is good, I would say. Of course, it is always possible to discuss one topic or another, but I believe it is a very adequate response to the current situation,” he sad.
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