RIGA - Close cooperation between Latvia and the United States within NATO will be one of the priorities of the new US Ambassador to Latvia Melissa Argyros.
Argyros presented her credentials to President Edgars Rinkevics at Riga Castle on Friday. She then delivered a brief statement to reporters.
Argyros underlined that it was a great honor for her to begin work as US ambassador to Latvia. In her meeting with Rinkevics, she reaffirmed the message that it is an honor to work in a country that shares the United States' commitment to fighting for freedom.
Latvia sets an example with its commitment to allocate 5 percent of gross domestic product to defense, said Argyros. Ensuring secure borders is also a priority for Latvia, she added.
At the same time, she stressed that the partnership between Latvia and the United States extended far beyond security. Experience in business and philanthropy has shaped Argyros' approach to partnerships and problem solving, she said.
Argyros is excited about the opportunity to strengthen trade ties between Latvia and the United Sates by supporting investment, innovation, and cooperation in energy, she said.
Following the accreditation ceremony, the president and the new US ambassador discussed bilateral cooperation between the two countries, with particular emphasis on the US military presence, cooperation in the fields of security, defense, energy, defense industry and technology, Rinkevics' advisor Martins Dregeris informed LETA.
During the conversation, the president highlighted the historic role of the United States in Latvia's independence and development. He congratulated the United States on its forthcoming 250th anniversary of independence and noted the 105th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Latvia and the United States to be marked next year.
Rinkevics expressed gratitude for the continued US military presence in the Baltic region and in Latvia, and called for its further strengthening. The president emphasized that Latvia is deliberately increasing its defense spending to fulfil the NATO Hague Summit commitment to allocate 5 percent of gross domestic product to defense.
"Latvia recognizes its responsibility to safeguard the external border of the European Union and NATO with Russia and Belarus. We are investing in defense capabilities and infrastructure development, including the creation of the largest in the Baltics military training ground Selija. Joint exercises with US and Allied troops are mutually beneficial, enhance military interoperability and send an important signal of deterrence," emphasized Rinkevics.
The president highly appreciated the strong bipartisan support for the Baltic states in the US Congress. "The decision of the US Congress to continue supporting the Baltic Security Initiative is a strong affirmation of the close partnership between the United States and the Baltic states, as well as a direct contribution to strengthening NATO deterrence and defense on the eastern flank," Rinkevics underlined.
The president expressed his conviction that close and pragmatic transatlantic cooperation remains an indispensable element for both European security and support to Ukraine. Latvia is a reliable ally in these efforts. "We have stood shoulder to shoulder with US troops in addressing the threats of international terrorism in Afghanistan and Iraq, even before joining NATO," Rinkevics noted during the meeting.
Prime Minister Evika Silina (New Unity) also met with the new US ambassador on Friday. After the meeting, Silina stressed that Latvia and the United States shared a similar understanding of security issues and border protection.
"Strengthening security goes hand in hand with economic development, therefore we also discussed deepening economic cooperation between the two countries. It is important for us to cooperate in new technologies - companies from both countries have already explored each other's markets, which needs to be developed further," said Silina.
The officials also discussed Latvia's support for Ukraine by investing no less than 0.25 percent of Latvia's gross domestic product annually. According to Silina, the ambassador also appreciated Latvia's achievements in energy security and digital development.
Latvia highly values the United States as a reliable partner, said Silina. She is confident that cooperation between Latvia and the United States will remain close and practical.
As reported, the US Senate has appointed Argyros the Ambassador to Latvia. Argyros has no prior diplomatic experience, but she has donated USD 2 million for Trump's election campaign, according to the information from the US media.
Argyros is a California based real estate investor. She has served in different positions in Argyros family company Arnel & Affilialtes, including as the vice president of the company.
She is also a Co-Chief Executive Officer and Co-Chair of the Board of the Argyros Family Foundation, whose mission is to focus on children, education, health care, scholarships, and the arts.
Argyros holds a B.A. from Chapman University, Orange, California, 2007.
The US appoints not only career diplomats as ambassadors, but also supporters of political parties.
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