Latvian State President’s Chancellery reports that on Tuesday, the 26th of September, President Edgars Rinkēvičs met with Germany’s Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius in Riga Castle. The two discussed potential hybrid threats on NATO borders and Germany’s involvement in the region’s security.
During their conversation, Rinkēvičs and Pistoriuss discussed the potential of hybrid attacks on the Latvian-Belarusian border. Latvia’s president said Latvia is prepared to take the necessary measures, including by closing the border with Belarus and Russia – especially in the event of mass influx of illegal migrants.
In the end of August Baltic and Polish defence ministers agreed that the border with Belarus and Russia in the future. Until now Poland, Lithuania and Latvia have shut down only some of their border checkpoints with Belarus in response to the growing numbers of illegal migrants. On the 19th of September Latvia’s government decided to close down Silene border checkpoint.
State Border Guard resources, including 50 border guards, were diverted towards protection of the “green border”.
Currently Pāternieki border checkpoint in Krāslava is the only active checkpoint for legal border-crossing between Latvia and Belarus.
During the meeting, Rinkēvičs thanked Germany for the country’s involvement in maintaining security of the Baltic region and plans to deploy more forces in the region. He also affirmed Latvia’s readiness to host German combat aircraft at the military base in Lielvārde next year.
“Germany is an indispensable player in Euro-Atlantic security and I highly appreciate Germany’s contribution to the security of the Baltic region. I would like to thank you for the presence of the German armed Forces in the Baltic States and the plans to increase troop presence,” said Rinkēvičs.
Also read: Special services: lessons learned in Ukraine will change Russia’s army