McCain reassures US support to Latvia in strengthening defense

RIGA – US Republican Senator John McCain during his meeting with Latvian Defense Minister Raimonds Bergmanis (Greens/Farmers) reassured the US support to strengthening Latvia’s defense, BNS learned from the Latvian Defense Ministry.

Bergmanis and Latvia’s Chief of Defense Raimonds Graube today met with visiting Republican Senators John McCain and Lindsay Graham, and Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar to discuss regional security and further bilateral cooperation.

Bergmanis said during the meeting that Latvia when adopting its 2017 budget is on the way to strengthen and develop its defense capabilities, proving itself as a strong NATO member state and strategic partner for the US.

The minister also agreed with the senators on the threat created by Russia and increase of its military activities in the past years.

McCain reassured the US support to Latvia in strengthening defense, underscoring the role of cyber defense in tackling general threats. “Messages and language play a significant role – in the traditional information space and cyber space,” said McCain.

Senators today visited the Home Guard headquarters and met with Home Guard commander Ainars Ozolins.

The senators have arrived in Latvia during their broader regional visit that includes also Georgia, Estonia, Lithuania, Montenegro and Ukraine.

The senators plan to meet also with President Raimonds Vejonis, Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics (Unity), Saeima speaker Inara Murniece (National Alliance).