Latvia could adapt for its needs digital civil defense system developed by Ukraine - Smiltens

RIGA - Latvia could possibly adapt for its needs the digital civil defense system developed by Ukraine, which has already gained international recognition, Saeima Speaker Edvards Smiltens (United List) said in an interview with Latvian Television on Tuesday.

Smiltens said that he had discussed the possibility with Ukrainian officials during his recent visit to the war-torn country.

According to Smiltens, Latvia does not need to invest millions of euros into upgrading its civil defense system and instead use systems that have already been tested in practice.

When Smiltens was in Ukraine, Kyiv's mayor and vice-mayor assured him that Kyiv could even present "the most excellent system there is" to Latvia. Kyiv Digital is a civil defense system employing a mobile app that warns residents of approaching missiles, provides information on the nearest shelters and others, it also works in the event of a power outage.

Kyiv Digital is one of the best civil defense systems in the world, it won a Smart City award last year, said Smiltens. "They could possibly even gift this system to Latvia in recognition of our contribution to Ukraine," he said.

Talks continue on possibilities for adapting the system for Latvia's needs, it is difficult to say when further decisions could be made, said Smiltens.

The need to improve Latvia's civil defense system has been recently brought up several times. Interior Minister Maris Kucinskis (United List) has named it one of his priorities.