Investments to be made also in other sectors as comprehensive defense system is being developed - Pabriks

  • 2019-03-04
  • LETA/TBT Staff

RIGA - The defense sector will be supporting other sectors as well as it introduces a comprehensive defense system in Latvia, Defense Minister Artis Pabriks (For Development/For) said on Latvian Radio this morning.

Pabriks underscored that the comprehensive defense system is one of the Defense Ministry’s highest priorities for the next coming years. To develop the system, the ministry will go through all other sectors – transport, healthcare, education, etc. – to find solutions for cooperation aimed at boosting national defense.

This, however, does not mean that money from the defense budget will be provided for urgent needs in other spheres, for instance, the surfacing of roads, but that the defense sector wants to make sure that new railroads, for instance, are built so they can also be used by the military. Investments will also be made to provide national defense lessons in schools, Pabriks said.

The minister informed that this year’s defense budget is planned at EUR 630 million, with supplies to the troops defined as the top priority. Although Latvia’s defense budget is growing, funds for new priorities are still insufficient, Pabriks said.