Vējonis calls a meeting of Ministry and National Armed Forces top officials

On March 2 Minister of Defence Raimonds Vējonis called a meeting of the Defense Ministry and National Armed Forces top officials to listen to the reports and to decide on the further course of action. The meeting was attended also by the Foreign Ministry representatives.

The defense minister was informed that the National Armed Forces were functioning in the routine mode but had stepped up surveillance of the external borders of the state and started thorough situation analysis. In addition, there is an ongoing information exchange and coordination of activities among the national authorities of the Baltic States responsible for defense and foreign affairs.

"Latvia’s security is guaranteed by NATO, the world’s strongest military organization. Our people have no reason to worry,” the defense minister said in the wake of the reports about Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine. Latvia is working in close cooperation with other NATO member states to find a solution.

“Now more than ever the defense budget in Latvia has to be reconsidered, finding a way to gradually increase it to 2 percent of the national GDP,” said R.Vējonis.

The Latvian Defense Ministry this week reported increased activity of the Russian Armed Forces – combat flights and exercises – in the Baltic region near Latvia’s external borders.

Andis Jēkabsons
Public Affairs Adviser
Phone: +371 67335055
E-mail: andis.jekabsons@mod.gov.lv