Linking the Baltic defense line and Poland's plans would be a strong security guarantee - Spruds

RIGA - The linking of the planned Baltic defense line and the Polish military anti-mobility measures would be a strong security guarantee for the region and a signal that the external border of NATO and the European Union is protected, Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds (Progressives) said during his visit to Poland.

On Wednesday, Spruds paid a working visit to Poland, where he met with Polish Deputy Minister of Defense Pawel Zalewski to discuss defense cooperation between the two countries.

Spruds noted that Latvia and Poland stand guard over the security of the external borders of NATO and the European Union. The two countries share a common understanding of the current security challenges and the need to strengthen security in the region, not only by protecting the eastern border from hybrid attacks by aggressor countries, but also by physically deploying military anti-mobility measures on the border.

"We have no illusions about Russia and its imperialist intentions. If the Baltic States are working on a common Baltic defense line, Poland is working on its own anti-mobility project on its eastern border. Linking the two projects would be a strong security guarantee and a signal that the external border of NATO and the European Union is protected," stressed Spruds.

During the meeting, officials from both countries also discussed the security situation in the region and Poland's participation in the NATO multinational brigade in Latvia. The ministers also discussed cooperation between the two countries in the drone coalition and support to Ukraine.

Latvia and Poland are strategic partners with a long history of defense cooperation, the Ministry of Defense said. Polish troops are an important part of the Canadian-led NATO multinational brigade in Latvia. The Polish Air Force has also carried out several Baltic air patrol missions and has made a significant contribution to strengthening NATO's common deterrence and defense.