Latvia-US agree on priorities in defense cooperation

RIGA – Latvian and US defense officials have signed a bilateral cooperation plan that sets priorities in cooperation in defense for the coming five years, the Latvian Defense Ministry reported.

Latvian Defense Minister Artis Pabriks (For Development) on Friday met with US Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan in Washington to discuss further cooperation in defense.

The officials confirmed readiness to continue implementation of the principles of cooperation agreed on during the Baltic-US summit in April 2018, and agreed to deepen Latvian-US cooperation in defense.

Pabriks underscored that the US is Latvia’s strategic partner and one of the most important and closest allies.

The presence of the US troops in Latvia is a good example of the unity of nations. “Latvian-US cooperation in defense is based on common values and security interests, its development plays an important role in strengthening regional security,” the minister said.

As reported, on May 8-13, Pabriks is in the US on a working visit to discuss bilateral defense cooperation, the importance of US military presence in the region, US military support programs, transatlantic ties and global security issues.

Cooperation with the US is one of Latvia’s priorities in defense policy. Since 2014, the US troops are deployed in Latvia in a rotation, confirming US contribution to NATO collective defense, promoting peace and stability in the Baltic states and Poland. Also, the US has provided support to Latvia withing the framework of different military support programs.