NATO apologizes for upcoming inconvenience

  • 2006-07-17
  • By TBT staff
RIGA - NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer has apologized in advance to Latvia's citizens for the inconveniences that will be caused during the NATO summit, which is scheduled to take place in Riga this November.

After the talks with Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, he said he was convinced that Latvia would do an excellent job as the summit host.

"I should apologize because the summit might cause inconveniences in public life, but 26 heads of state from the alliance's member states will be meeting in Riga at that time and it is important," said Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.

He said it would be the first time since NATO enlargement that leaders from all member states will meet.
The NATO secretary general discussed with the Latvian president the venues of the summit and said that it would be an outstanding event organized by a competent task force.

"This summit will show that the alliance can solve the 21st century issues from political and military perspective," said Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.

When asked what will be main the main subjects on the Riga summit agenda, he said that it was planned to discuss NATO operations, peace-keeping missions, and partnership with other countries. He said the alliance was adjusting its military capacity to new challenges.