Mierina underlines Turkey's contribution to strengthening Eastern flank of the Alliance

RIGA - In a meeting with the chairpersons of the foreign affairs committees of the Baltic States and Turkey, Saeima Speaker Daiga Mierina (Greens/Farmers) emphasized Turkey's contribution to strengthening the Eastern flank of the Alliance, the Saeima Press Service told LETA.

"We must do our utmost to promote peace in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as to build a common understanding of democratic values in the world," Mierina said.

At the meeting, Fuat Oktay, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Turkish National Assembly, reaffirmed Turkey's unwavering support for strengthening security in the Baltic region, stressing that Turkey has always played and will continue to play an important role in the European security architecture.

The parties agreed on the need to deepen security cooperation. Mieriņa pointed out that the countries also cooperate at NATO level and Latvia highly values Turkey's contribution to strengthening the Eastern flank of the Alliance, including air patrols. The importance of NATO military operations in protecting critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea was also underlined.

Economic cooperation, including investment opportunities, as well as close contacts in tourism and education were also discussed.