Baltic prime ministers propose to deploy one combat-ready division of allies in each country

RIGA - The Baltic prime minister propose to deploy one combat-ready division of allies in each country.

The three prime ministers said in a joint statement that at the upcoming NATO summit in Madrid they will try to approve the next NATO strategic concept and strengthen NATO long-term deterrence and defense solutions and NATO eastern flank.

In order to prevent any possibility for aggression, the Baltic states need modern permanent defense solutions, which require larger land, air and marine forces presence.

In order to ensure permanent presence of allies in the Baltic states, three combat-ready divisions - one in each Baltic state - are necessary.

The Baltic states have resolved to continue to increase their defense budgets to at least 2.5 percent of GDP.

As reported, the Baltic prime ministers on Friday met in Riga.

At present, there are NATO battle groups deployed in the Baltic states. Latvia hosts a NATO Enhanced Forward Presence multinational battle group lead by Canada, joining more than 1,500 troops from ten countries - Canada, Albania, the Czech Republic, Iceland, Italy, Montenegro, Poland, Slovenia, Spain and Slovakia. The battle group participates in join drills with the National Armed Forces. Also, US troops have been deployed in Latvia.