Latvia's NATO Force Integration Unit inauguration will take place on November 16

On November 16 2015, the official inauguration of the NATO Force Integration Unit (NFIU) in Latvia take place. 

The news was confirmed by the NFIU’s commander’s spokeswoman, Anda Bergmane. 

The inauguration ceremony will be attended by Latvia’s Defence Minister Raimonds Bergmanis, its Chief of Defense Raimonds Graube, Adrian Bradshaw, Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe (Deputy SACEUR); Hans Lothar Domrose, Commander of the Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum; Manfred Hoffmann Commander of the Multinational Corps Northeast; Eriks Naglis, Commander of the NFIU in Latvia, and other invited guests.

There will be a press conference held after the ceremony with participation of Bergmanis, Graube and Bradshaw. 

During a meeting in February 2015, NATO defence ministers approved the establishment of the first multinational command and control elements - NATO Force Integration Units or NFIUs - in six Eastern European countries, including Latvia. 

On September 1, 2015, NFIUs were given a status of military headquarters. 

For the first time in Latvian history a permanent NATO unit will be established.

The main task of the unit will be to promote rapid and coordinated deployment of Allied forces to the Eastern part of the Alliance if necessary. 

It will also support collective defense planning and help coordinate training and exercises.