Defence Minister of Latvia and Foreign Minister of Poland will discuss bilateral defence cooperation

On Wednesday, May 9, Raimonds Bergmanis, Latvian Defence Minister, will meet Jacek Czaputowicz, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland, to discuss bilateral defence cooperation between Latvia and Poland, regional security challenges, as well as other matters related to the NATO Enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) Battlegroup Latvia.

Foreign Minister of Poland will also visit Ādaži military base to learn more about the capabilities and tasks of Land Force Mechanised Infantry Brigade, and meet the leadership of eFP Battlegroup Latvia and Polish NATO eFP troops to discuss their deployment in Latvia.

Poland has contributed one tank regiment with support personnel of over 160 soldiers and PT-91 tanks with support components to the NATO eFP battle group Latvia.

As reported, the decision on establishing an enhanced forward presence of multinational battalion-size battle groups in Baltic States and Poland was adopted by the heads of states and governments during the NATO Warsaw summit in 2016. Such battle groups were created and deployed to promote the implementation of NATO’s deterrence strategy and strengthen the Alliance’s collective defence by demonstrating solidarity and resolve to defend the alliance against all kinds of aggression. On 19 June 2017, Ādaži military base formally marked the arrival of NATO eFP battle group with welcome ceremony.

Canada-led NATO enhanced Forward Presence battle group Latvia consists of over 1 000 troops from countries such as Albania, Italy, Canada, Poland, Slovenia and Spain. Troops of the rotational NATO force are deployed to Latvia to engage in joint training with National Armed Forces, which will improve the interoperability with allied forces in the region and response to security threats.

Czech and Slovak troops will join NATO eFP battle group Latvia this year.

Media contacts:
Media Relations Section
Military Public Affairs Department
Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Latvia
E-mail: prese@mod.gov.lv
Website: www.mod.gov.lv