Need to strengthen NATO's eastern flank needs to be constantly talked about, explained and reminded - Karins

RIGA - It is important to constantly talk about, explain and remind about the need to strengthen the defense capabilities of NATO's eastern flank, including the Baltic States and Latvia, Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins (New Unity) told Latvian Radio this morning.

Yesterday, Karins met with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Madrid to discuss strengthening NATO's presence in the Baltics, but today in The Hague he will discuss the same topic with the NATO Secretary General and several Alliance leaders in the context of the forthcoming NATO summit.

In the interview, Karins emphasized that it is important that colleagues have a similar understanding of the need to strengthen security in the Baltic region, and this can only be achieved through negotiations, constant explaining, reminders and so on.

"First of all, we must remember that the security of the Baltic States and Latvia is of most interest to us, and nothing happens by itself. Everything that has happened so far is the result of hard work for a long period of time," the politician added.

Asked what these successes are and what more could be done, the Prime Minister noted the recent decisions to strengthen the defense capabilities of the Baltic region with a significantly larger presence of NATO forces. In addition, it must be in the plans of NATO as a whole, not just the result of specific bilateral talks, the head of government added.

"We have done well so far, as many of those countries who have been in Latvia for five years have increased their presence and Denmark has already sent an additional battalion, and recently Spain has decided to supplement our capabilities with air defense," said Karins, reminding that the next important decisions are expected at the NATO summit in Madrid after Midsummer.