Strengthening security and international order will remain overarching goal of Latvia's foreign policy in 2025 - Braze

RIGA - Strengthening security and international order will remain the overarching goal of Latvia's foreign policy in 2025, Foreign Minister Baiba Braze (New Unity) told members of the Saeima European Affairs Committee on Wednesday.

The foreign minister presented to lawmakers a draft annual report on what has been accomplished and what is planned in the foreign policy and EU matters for the next year.

On behalf of the foreign service, Braze thanked the Saeima and political parties for successful cooperation and noted that national foreign policy is one for everyone to follow. The minister also underlined the continuity of Latvia's foreign policy. There are also three major objectives that have dominated this year, but also, in general, are focused on another overarching goal, which is to ensure Latvia's independence, continuity, "guarantee of security and economic growth".

According to the foreign minister, there are currently no grounds to believe that Russia will change its aggressive policies. It is not just about the war in Ukraine, but about how the Russian regime has transformed itself - the war economy, the military capabilities. According to Braze, all the instruments of power in Russia are now concentrated for war.

"Russia's policy is war. It means that our security, our defense capabilities, a strong Alliance, cooperation with the allies, the EU's investment to close the gaps in defense capabilities are and will remain Latvia's priority," the foreign minister said.

She underlined that Latvia is not currently facing any direct military threats and will not face any in the near term, but this does not mean that the international situation is such as to allow us to relax, to think that Latvia should not concentrate all its resources, attention and military capabilities on countering threats.

"Obviously, it has had an impact on the government's work, but also on the work of the foreign service. In the security sphere, the presence of allies, including the US, in Latvia has been greatly strengthened. Cooperation with the allies is not only in the military field, but also on other issues, which I will not discuss in detail, as this is a public meeting," Braze said.

She explained that this has ensured the implementation of NATO's so-called regional plans. A force structure has been established, with specific mandates that would allow a rapid redeployment of military forces. Forces of all allies have also been identified to execute these plans.

The foreign minister stressed that this requires additional resources. She said that Latvia was honoring its commitment and encouraged other allies to do the same. Braze concluded that overall, defense and security funding among NATO members has increased significantly.

"I would like to believe that there is a sense of urgency in this area in all allied and partner countries. We also hope that this will result not only in funding for both NATO and the EU, which will be directed towards defense, but also in production, which would be directed towards filling the military capability gap identified by NATO military commanders," the foreign minister said.

She added that cooperation between NATO and the EU is essential. Latvia is working with both the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, and the new EU Commissioner for Defense and Space, Andrius Kubilius. It is a daily work, both in Brussels and with other countries, to ensure that everyone is on the same page, Braze said.

The foreign minister noted that this is closely linked to another objective, which is the promotion of economic growth and prosperity, which is also relevant to the foreign service, its potential copntribution in this area. It is also about strengthening the EU's competitiveness, efficiency and global influence. Braze said that an economic dimension has been introduced in the visits of senior government officials and in the daily work of embassies. Braze gave the example that, even when it is a meeting on security issues, a promoter of economic interests, such as manufacturers, professionals working with quantum technologies, is always present as well.

According to Braze, another priority is to protect the interests of Latvian nationals, to involve society in the development and implementation of foreign policy, and to use the potential of the diaspora. She stressed that the public is interested in issues related to security and defense. The minister mentioned that diaspora organizations do not only preserve Latvian identity. They want to contribute to Latvia's security. According to Braze, this involves support for Ukraine, involvement in consultations, and communication with businesses.

The foreign minister said that cooperation with Latvian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) is a daily work of the foreign service, as it works with various business associations, interest groups and people representing informal groups. She stressed that there is one negative aspect that NGOs are aware of, which is that there will be less money for development projects next year. This means that the NGOs will get less funding for projects they are implementing in third countries. Braze pointed admitted that this is a reality, - ministries cut their budgets to support the defense sector.

The minister told the lawmakers that the draft report does not elaborate on another priority, which is relations with the US. Braze mentioned that the government agreed during a discussion on Tuesday that the action plan will include the interests of all sectors for the coming years, in terms of security, economy and people.