According to Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs, the private flights used by then the Prime Minister and now Minister of Foreign Affairs Krišjānis Kariņš may not have been proportionate or cost-effective.
In his interview to LTV programme Rīta panorāma, Rinkēvičs agreed that during Covid-19 and because of various unplanned visits politicians should have the option to use special flights. However, he is concerned that this has since become a practice in which proportionality and cheaper options are no longer considered.
“Here we have to say that the information we have shows that it was possible to use commercial flights,” said the president.
He also believes that Kariņš’s communication about this situation has not been very successful so far, stressing that people deserve an explanation.
Explanations from the State Chancellery are insufficient as well. According to the president, involvement of the State Audit in the evaluation of this whole situation would be welcome.
In general, Rinkēvičs is sceptical whether the use of such flights in specific cases was proportionate. “We cannot way it was correct in terms of communication and flight evaluation,” said the official, stressing that this practice should be dropped from now on, adding that each specific case should be explained.
As previously reported, Kariņš agrees with the criticisms about the use of private flights, but he still stresses that they did provide an opportunity for him to meet with world leaders very quickly and thereby enhance Latvia’s role in the European Union and NATO in a complicated logistical situation, according to what he told LETA.
The State Chancellery prepared information about the ex-PM’s international visits of the past three years. According to this information, he used both regular and special flights.
Kariņš used private flights 18 times. Their cost, depending on the distance and number of delegates, went from EUR 14 337 to EUR 49 950.
Kariņš said that in a time when he was Latvia’s Prime Minister, the world was struck by two shocks – the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russian-Ukrainian war. Both caused disruption of air traffic.
The ex-PM also stressed that when the Russian-Ukrainian war started, the role of foreign policy went up for his duties. Ukraine, enhancement of Latvia’s security and Russia’s deterrence were the focus of his work. Even before the start of the war Latvia managed to send Ukraine Stinger anti-aircraft missile systems. Latvia provided other kinds of support, and he personally participated in EU leaders’ negotiations about Ukraine’s path to joining the EU.
He also said that over the course of his term as PM, he formed good relations with many EU and government leaders. Kariņš used the opportunity to meet with them directly, go on visits and attend various events organised by EU leaders.
“I have both visited and hosted French President Emmanuel Macron, Spanish PM Pedro Sanches, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, then the UK’s PM Boris Johnson and their current PM Rishi Sunak. Often visits were organised last minute, because their length was not clear. This is why special flights were used when attending them,” Kariņš explained in his written response.
According to information from the State Audit, on the 7th of May 2021 Kariņš travelled from Riga to a meeting of the Council of Europe, which took place on the 8th of May. On the same day after the meeting he flew back to Latvia. He was accompanied by two representatives of the Prime Minister’s Office, two representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and one representative of the State Security Service. The cost of the use of a private aircraft reached EUR 45 000.
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State Audit explains that special flights are organised by a travel agency contracted to handle official visits of Latvian officials.
The State Audit also points out that between 2021 and 2023, when the former PM began to use special flights, meetings were starting to return to face-to-face format in international politics, but there was still the Covid-19 pandemic and related restrictions still in force around the world, which affected the aviation industry, i.e. it had not yet returned to the intensity of flights that existed before the pandemic, for example, air traffic services could suddenly be cancelled or postponed.
State Audit also points out that in 2022, when the Russian-Ukrainian war began, Covid-19 pandemic was still active. It was during this period of time Kariņš’s work saw an increase of incoming and outgoing foreign visits. There were also additional meetings organised as part of the Council of Europe format and other formats. This was done in order to agree on operational support for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia.
“During these meetings we accomplished further enhancement of Europe’s defensive capabilities, Latvia included. NATO’s eastern flank was reinforced as well. Political and financial support of the European Union to strengthen the energy independence of the Baltic Sea states was achieved, unwavering and permanent support of Latvia for Ukraine was confirmed and the status of an EU candidate country was ensured for Ukraine,” the State Audit reports.
Also read: Latvian PM delegation’s private flights cost state budget EUR 600 000
According to the State Audit, to represent Latvia on various high-level meetings, then the Latvian PM used both commercial and special flights between 2021 and 2023. When travelling to neighbouring countries he mainly used a car.
The State Audit also explains that when planning the PM’s arrival at his destination, his work schedule, internal political events and availability of commercial flights were taken into account. Over the course of three years Kariņš used regular flights 35 to go on foreign visits.
“When assessing the prime minister’s visits to foreign countries, it is important to keep in mind that during crises meetings are usually planned and announced at a short notice. As the geopolitical situation escalated, these events were becoming more frequent, and the prime minister now had to go on foreign visits and host foreign officials in Latvia,” the State Audit stressed.
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