Munich conference demonstrated lack of leadership on security issues - Braze

RIGA - Discussions at the Munich Security Conference also unequivocally demonstrated the need for Europeans to come up with their own clear plan and stronger leadership in European security issues, Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze (New Unity) said after the conference.

LETA learned from the minister's aide Signe Znotina-Znota that European security need more investment and leadership.

Braze underlined that in Munich, Latvia was brought up as an example due to being among the leaders in NATO in terms of security and defense investments, which are approaching 4 percent of GDP and are expected to increase in the coming years. A positive development was the acknowledgment by senior EU officials that loans for, and investment in defense should not be added to national debt - a position that Latvia has advocated for on a number of occasions.

"My priority in numerous engagements with officials from the US, Asia and other regions and in various discussions was Ukraine’s security, strengthening its combat capabilities and negotiating positions. At the same time, Latvia’s experience of successfully countering Russian cyber-attacks, attacks on critical undersea infrastructure and other threats has attracted interest," Braze emphasized.

On the sidelines of the conference, NB8 ministers met with Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, and EU foreign ministers held a meeting on further support for Ukraine.

The Latvian Foreign Minister participated in a number of discussions and roundtable talks on security in the Euro-Atlantic region, the protection of critical infrastructure, and the strengthening of NATO. In all the discussions, the Minister kept focus on Latvia’s security and opportunities for economic cooperation.

The Munich Security Conference is one of the world’s leading security policy forums. Its 61st edition, held in Munich, Germany, on February 14-16 this year, brought together political leaders, business representatives, and think tanks.