This week Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkēvičs hosted Finland’s Minister for European Affairs Tytti Tuppurainen in Riga. During their meeting, the two ministers discussed Russian aggression in Ukraine, various security-related topics, Finland’s path towards joining NATO, as well as topical developments in the EU.
Rinkēvičs outlined Latvia’s and Finland’s historically close relationship and thanked his colleague for good cooperation on a regional, European and international level. The minister stressed: «From a modern point of view, in a time when the region experiences serious changes for its security architecture, it is more important to be close – not just as neighbours, but as partners as well.»
During the discussion of Finland’s membership in NATO, Rinkēvičs clearly affirmed Latvia’s position: «NATO’s doors should be open to any democratic European country. Latvia supports Finland’s and Sweden’s membership in NATO. This will contribute to both the region’s security and NATO’s deterrence and defensive capabilities.»
In relation to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, both ministers agreed that the international society needs to provide all possible support to Ukraine. Rinkēvičs invited Finland to support giving EU candidate state status to Ukraine, as confirmed by Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Latvian minister affirms country’s support of Finland’s and Sweden’s NATO membership
