Responsibility for Latvia rests with the Latvian people and with us as part of that people, Foreign Minister Baiba Braže (New Unity) emphasized today during foreign policy debates in the Saeima.
In her address, she quoted Zenta Mauriņa:
“We own only as much as we ourselves can earn with our own hands, build with our own spirit, and invent with our own minds. (…) We are lost if we wait for others to lift us up, recognize us, strengthen us, defend us, and admire us.”
The minister noted that these words seem written for our time. “A time when concerns are voiced that the world is collapsing,” she said. At the same time, Braže stressed that in reality the world is not collapsing.
“What is collapsing are the unfounded expectations that our democracy, security, and prosperity will be more important to someone else than to ourselves; that responsibility for Europe’s defense will rest solely with the United States; that Russia will supply us with cheap oil and gas; or that economic growth will be ensured by China’s market and technologies. No – responsibility for Latvia lies with the Latvian people and with us as part of that people. And nothing is more important than our security,” Braže underlined.
She emphasized that Latvia’s task is clear – to invest in defense and defense capabilities.
“Five percent [of GDP for defense] is a decision to strengthen our borders and internal security, increase the military presence of allies, maintain close transatlantic relations with both Canada and the United States, continue supporting Ukraine, weaken Russia, and cooperate with like-minded and peace-loving countries around the world,” said Braže.
The minister stated that foreign policy is Latvia’s shield – “a shield to safeguard peace for Latvia, ensure growth, and take care of our people around the world.”
At the same time, Braže urged not to lose sight of the “big picture.” “Not everything is bad. Over the past year, positive developments have also occurred globally,” she said. According to her, the situation in the Middle East is more stable than it was a year ago; Hamas and Hezbollah have been weakened; Iran’s nuclear program has been halted for a time; the people of Venezuela are enjoying freedom from dictatorship; and a historic reconciliation has been achieved between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the South Caucasus. “Syria, Venezuela, Iran – allies of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin – have fallen or been weakened,” Braže listed.
According to her, US President Donald Trump has played a significant role in these developments.
Braže also expressed gratitude to all Latvia’s partners who act, support Ukraine, impose sanctions on Russia, and cooperate internationally to ensure that principles of international law and order are upheld.
The minister stressed that Ukraine is, will be, and will remain a free and living democracy. At the same time, she acknowledged that peace in Ukraine may unfortunately not be just. Nevertheless, Ukrainian, US, and European negotiators and leaders are striving to ensure sustainable peace and security guarantees for Ukraine.
“Of course, with a decision of the Saeima and political unity, we believe we must participate in these efforts, because the outcome of the war in Ukraine will affect the security of all Europe and the world,” Braže explained.
She also addressed the upcoming Saeima elections, noting that
all state-minded parties must be particularly vigilant in an election year.
“We have a duty to protect elections as one of the foundations of a democratic Latvian state,” she stressed, adding that Russia’s past behavior indicates it will escalate non-military attempts to intimidate and divide society.
Braže pointed out that everyone witnessed how Russia attempted to steal elections in Moldova through intimidation, disinformation, cryptocurrencies, and corruption schemes. “And Moldova’s example shows that democracy is capable of defending itself against external interference. I have no doubt that Latvia can do the same,” she said.
She highlighted that this year Latvia experienced an attempt to pull it out of Europe’s core, but together the country held firm. “We must not be set against one another, because in Latvia we have far more in common than what divides us,” Braže emphasized.
The minister noted that over the past year the foreign service worked in three main directions: Latvia’s security and defense; economic growth and prosperity; public engagement in foreign policy and support for the diaspora.
“Security is the prerequisite for everything.
Without security there is no prosperity. Without security there is no development. Without security, children will not be born in Latvia. New investors will not come. And that is why Latvia acts, rather than merely talks,” Braže stated.
She highlighted that Latvia is among NATO leaders by allocating 5% of GDP to defense, thereby implementing the collective decision of the NATO Hague Summit. Cooperation among Baltic Sea region countries – including the Baltic and Nordic states, Poland, and Germany – has also intensified, she said.
Braže underlined that transatlantic cooperation is one of the cornerstones of Latvia’s security. “The political, military, and economic presence of the US and Canada is essential for the security and stability of Latvia and all of Europe, and we are grateful to Canada for strengthening its military presence in Latvia earlier than promised and investing in our infrastructure,” she said.
According to her,
Latvia aims to deepen cooperation in military industry and economic ties as well.
Joint lobbying efforts by Latvia and the Baltic states have yielded good results, she noted.
Latvia will continue to deepen bilateral cooperation with the US, increase awareness of Latvia’s key issues within the US administration, Congress, and business community, Braže promised. “Together we will work to concretize the talks launched last year with the US on expanded military presence in Latvia. Yes, we are ready to host more US forces,” she said.
As the next step, Braže highlighted the European Union’s multiannual budget. “This will be the first budget where security is the primary, central priority,” she said, pledging efforts to secure appropriate funding for Latvia both in cohesion policy and direct payments for farmers.
The minister also stressed that opportunities must be constantly sought and used.
She expressed satisfaction that last year Latvian companies successfully participated in European defense industry programs and projects, with the European Commission supporting nine Latvian projects submitted by domestic companies.
In her address, Braže also mentioned EU enlargement, stressing that it strengthens both the security and prosperity of Europe’s neighbors and the EU itself. She noted that the European Commission has recognized significant progress by four countries – Ukraine, Moldova, Montenegro, and Albania – over the past year. At the same time, she admitted Latvia’s disappointment that one country is blocking the opening of negotiations with Ukraine, despite the European Commission confirming that Ukraine has met all prerequisites.
Support for Ukraine remains and will remain Latvia’s unwavering priority, Braže stressed. Latvia believes sanctions must be imposed or strengthened against all who directly support Russian aggression or help circumvent sanctions. “We will categorically continue to oppose any attempts to weaken sanctions, including through political pressure, intimidation, slander, or campaigns,” she promised.
The minister recalled that on the 1st of January Latvia began its work on the UN Security Council
for the first time in its history. “This is the world’s most important diplomatic table,” Braže said, adding that it is also a security issue.
As the second major pillar of the foreign service’s work, Braže highlighted the economy. She stressed that every embassy works purposefully to help attract additional revenues. She emphasized the importance of opening new embassies in regions of interest to Latvian businesses, including South America, Asia-Pacific, the Gulf states, and Africa.
She also addressed migration, noting that the government’s position is clear: no to illegal migration. “The fence is completed, and I thank border guards, the National Guard, and other services for their selfless work 24/7, preventing more than 12,000 instrumentalized migrants from entering Latvia,” she said. Latvia is ready to share its experience with other European countries within solidarity mechanisms, but will not accept new migrants or pay for them.
Braže also highlighted the Latvian diaspora, noting its economic potential. According to a 2025 study by the University of Latvia’s Diaspora and Migration Centre, the diaspora brings approximately one billion euros to Latvia annually. “But we want our people back,” she said, emphasizing efforts to help compatriots maintain ties, return home, and use their talents and knowledge for Latvia.
Prime Minister Evika Siliņa (New Unity), speaking in the debates, stressed that
Latvia is currently safe and the level of direct military threat is low.
She highlighted Latvia’s significant investments in internal and external security, noting that for the first time defense spending has reached 5% of GDP. “This is an investment in transatlantic security not with words, but with deeds,” Siliņa said.
She emphasized intensified cooperation with the US and recalled that Swedish soldiers arrived in Latvia a year ago, joining the NATO brigade of 4,000 troops from 14 countries. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has repeatedly told her that the NATO brigade in Latvia is a model of how allies work together in practice to strengthen deterrence and defense.
While the direct military threat is low, Siliņa said Latvia remains vigilant regarding hybrid threats from Russia and Belarus. She highlighted cooperation with major global defense manufacturer Rheinmetall on artillery ammunition production in Latvia, as well as developments in drone, counter-drone, and electronic warfare industries.
Siliņa stressed Latvia’s active cooperation with Ukraine to facilitate technology transfer and military production. She noted that
Latvia’s expertise in the drone industry is closely linked to cooperation with Ukrainian partners
since the beginning of the war.
At the start of her speech, Siliņa acknowledged that Latvia’s foreign policy evolves with the times, but core national interests remain unchanged. “Therefore, Latvia’s foreign policy guiding principle remains the same – to defend international law while being increasingly prepared for a harsh reality shaped by growing power politics,” she said.
She highlighted the EU’s support in strengthening Latvia’s border, noting its importance for both Latvia and Europe. Looking ahead, she said negotiations on the EU’s multiannual budget in 2026 will be a key task, requiring coordinated work across government and parliament.
Siliņa noted that in the past year Latvia invested €1.4 billion from EU funds – the highest amount in history – and stressed the importance of investing these funds to generate returns and strengthen Europe’s competitiveness.
She reaffirmed Latvia’s continued support for Ukraine and support for efforts by the US president and European leaders to achieve peace based on Ukraine’s terms. “Unfortunately, nothing currently indicates that Russia is ready to stop the war,” she said, adding that pressure on the aggressor will continue.
Finally, Siliņa emphasized that a key task for diplomats is promoting Latvia’s economic growth – a task assigned to the foreign service in cooperation with the Ministry of Economics and the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia – and stressed that this work is ongoing.
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