One of the key priorities of the new US Ambassador to Latvia, Melissa Argyros, will be strengthening close cooperation between the two countries within NATO.
Argyros presented her credentials today at Riga Castle to President Edgars Rinkēvičs. Following the ceremony, she delivered brief remarks to journalists.
Argyros emphasized that it is a great honor for her to begin serving as US Ambassador to Latvia. In her meeting with Rinkēvičs, she reaffirmed that it is a privilege to work in a country that shares the United States’ commitment to defending freedom.
“I expressed our respect for Latvia’s leadership in our shared defense,” Argyros said.
She noted that
Latvia sets an example with its commitment to allocating 5% of its gross domestic product to defense.
Ensuring secure borders is also a priority for Latvia, Argyros added.
At the same time, she stressed that the partnership between Latvia and the United States extends far beyond security. Her experience in business and philanthropy has shaped her approach to partnerships and problem-solving, she said.
“I am pleased about the opportunity to strengthen our trade ties by supporting investment, innovation, and cooperation in the energy sector. I am very grateful for the warm welcome, especially in this cold February. I look forward to continuing to build on our long-standing tradition of friendship,” Argyros said.
After the accreditation ceremony, Rinkēvičs and Argyros discussed bilateral cooperation, particularly the US military presence, cooperation in security and defense, as well as collaboration in energy, the defense industry, and technology, according to the President’s Communications Adviser, Mārtiņš Drēģeris.
During the meeting,
the President highlighted the historic role of the United States in Latvia’s independence and development,
congratulating the US on its upcoming 250th anniversary of independence and noting the 105th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Latvia and the United States to be marked next year.
Rinkēvičs expressed gratitude for the continued US military presence in the Baltic region and Latvia, calling for an increased presence in Latvia. He underlined that Latvia is steadily increasing its defense spending, fulfilling the NATO Hague Summit commitment to allocate 5% of GDP to defense.
“Latvia recognizes its responsibility to safeguard the external border of the European Union and NATO with Russia and Belarus. We are investing in defense capabilities and infrastructure development, including the establishment of the largest military training area in the Baltics, ‘Sēlija.’ Joint exercises with US and allied troops are mutually beneficial, enhance military interoperability, and send an important deterrence signal,” the President stressed.
During the meeting,
Rinkēvičs also highly valued the strong bipartisan support for the Baltic states in the US Congress.
“The US Congress decision to continue supporting the Baltic Security Initiative is a strong affirmation of the close partnership between the United States and the Baltic states, as well as a direct contribution to strengthening NATO’s deterrence and defense on the Eastern Flank,” he said.
Rinkēvičs expressed confidence that close and pragmatic transatlantic cooperation is an indispensable element for both European security and support for Ukraine. Latvia is a reliable ally in these efforts.
“We have stood shoulder to shoulder with US troops in combating the threat of international terrorism in Afghanistan and Iraq, even before joining NATO,” the President emphasized.
The new US Ambassador is also scheduled to meet today with Prime Minister Evika Siliņa and Foreign Minister Baiba Braže.
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