Latvia and Albania contribute responsibly to strengthening NATO security - Rinkevics

RIGA - Latvia and Albania are investing responsibly in strengthening their own and NATO's common security and defense, developing the defense industry and providing support to Ukraine, Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics, who is in Albania on an official visit, said during a meeting with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama on Friday.

As Rinkevics' spokesman Martins Dregeris told LETA, the meeting focused on the security situation in the Baltic region and the Western Balkans, as well as the challenges of hybrid warfare in the Euro-Atlantic area.

Rinkevics welcomed Albania's stance against Russian aggression in Ukraine, its support for Ukraine and involvement in the European Union's (EU) sanctions policy. The two sides also discussed ways of expanding existing defense cooperation and promoting economic relations between the two countries.

The Latvian president said that the two countries are in solidarity with each other - Albanian troops are serving with the NATO Multinational Brigade in Latvia, while Latvian soldiers are participating in the NATO peacekeeping mission in Kosovo. He stressed that Albania's readiness to host the NATO Summit in 2027 is further proof of Albania's commitment as an active NATO ally.

During his visit, Rinkevics met also with Albanian President Bajram Begaj and Parliament Speaker Niko Aleks Peleshi.

Rinkevics also learned about the work of the Honorary Consulate of Latvia in Albania and met with Latvian Honorary Consul Sokol Kraja.