Latvia shows its solidarity with allies and donates disinfectant to North Macedonia

On 12 March, disinfectants procured by National Defence Logistics and Procurement Centre have been sent to North Macedonia. Delivery has been made possible by the Cabinet of Ministers, which decided to provide help through NATO Pandemic Response Trust Fund created to fight the Covid-19 pandemic. 

‘Thanks to successful cooperation between Latvia and NATO Pandemic Response Trust Fund we will be able to deliver locally produced disinfectant to North Macedonia already in a few days. Latvia’s donation to North Macedonia exemplifies Alliance’s spirit of cooperation where member countries are ready to offer their tangible support to one another when necessary,’ said Defence Minister Artis Pabriks.

The donation was coordinated by NATO’s Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre (EADRCC) and the Republic of Latvia to respond to North Macedonia’s request for international assistance.

Latvia is donating North Macedonia 6,000 litres of surface disinfectant produced by AS Spodrība, which was purchased by National Defence Logistics and Procurement Centre and financed from emergency budget appropriation.

North Macedonia joined NATO on 27 March 2020, becoming the 30th member of the Alliance.  North Macedonia began contributing to stronger Euro-Atlantic ties many years before its NATO membership, for example, by contributing to NATO international missions in Afghanistan and Kosovo.

Latvia will donate 15,415 litres of disinfectant worth 49,987,76 euro in total through NATO Trust Fund. The first batch of more than 9000 litres of surface disinfectant have been already delivered to Ukraine. Storage of procured disinfectant in Latvia was ensured by National Defence Logistics and Procurement Centre.

Latvia’s contribution to NATO Trust Fund is based on Cabinet of Ministers Decision 782 ‘Supply of disinfectant to NATO Trust Fund for Covid-19’ of 21 December 2020, which provides that Latvia contributes to the supply of personal protective equipment, medical devices and disinfectants of NATO’s Pandemic Response Stockpile. Latvia has donated the procured disinfectant to NATO Trust Fund in line with Cabinet of Ministers Decision 84 ‘In-kind contribution of disinfectant’ of 12 February 2021. 

NATO Pandemic Response Trust Fund manages a stockpile of medical equipment and supplies from in-kind donations or targeted purchases to provide immediate relief to Allies or partners in need.

As reported earlier, in May 2020 Latvia provided similar support to Italy and San Marino. These countries received a consignment of 5,745 litres of hand sanitizer and 5645 litres of surface disinfectant produced by AS Spodrība. Last year Latvia also delivered personal protective equipment and disinfectants to Spain. Donations to Italy, San Marino and Spain were approved by the Cabinet of Ministers. It decided to offer these countries tangible support in fighting Covid-19 virus and its consequences in the amount of 100 000 euro. 

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