Sweden's accession to NATO will strengthen security of region and Alliance - Latvian officials

RIGA - Greeting Sweden on accession to NATO, Latvian officials on Monday noted that Sweden's membership will strengthen the security of the region and the whole of the Alliance. 

President Edgars Rinkevics said on X that Sweden's admission to the Alliance will significantly improve regional and allied security. "The Baltic Sea is now a NATO lake," the president wrote. 

Prime Minister Evika Silina (New Unity) stressed that Sweden's membership of NATO will benefit the security and defense of Latvia, NATO and the Baltic Sea region.

"This is a good day for transatlantic unity, resolve and deterrence," Silina said. 

Defense Minister Andris Spruds (Progressives) congratulated Sweden's Defense Minister Pal Jonson and the people of Sweden. According to Spruds, with Sweden as an ally, the Baltic region's deterrence and defense has become stronger stronger than it has ever been. 

Latvia is looking forward to the Swedish battalion joining NATO's enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group Latvia, Spruds said on X.

Foreign Minister Krisjanis Karins (New Unity) joined the greetings on social networks, saying that Sweden's accession to the Alliance will significantly strengthen the security of Latvia, the region and the Alliance. 

The Hungarian parliament on Monday cleared the final obstacle for Sweden to join NATO. 

In response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Sweden together with Finland applied to join NATO in May 2022. Both countries' accession to the Alliance was delayed by Turkey and Hungary.

Finland joined NATO in April last year.