Vejonis: Cooperation with UK in security and defense is significant for Baltic region

RIGA – During the time of the present global challenges, cooperation with the UK in security and defense is very important for Latvian and the whole Baltic region, said Latvian President Raimonds Vejonis during accreditation ceremony of new British Ambassador to Latvia Keith Shannon.

As the President’s Chancellery reported, cooperation is important when introducing the NATO-Warsaw summit decisions on NATO presence in the Baltic region, as well as within NATO Strategic Communications Center of Excellence (StratCom COE) in Riga, and the Baltic Media Excellence Center, in NATO Integration Force Units and other formats.

Latvia is interested in deepening cooperation in external and security policy, economy, trade, as well as education and culture, said Vejonis.

During the meeting, he voiced hopes that Brexit will not change the friendly and close relations with the UK, and cooperation between both countries will strengthen.

Vejonis also invited the new ambassador to take part in events dedicated to Latvia’s Centenary.

As reported, Keith Shannon has been appointed the UK’s next Ambassador to Latvia. Sarah Cowley, the UK’s outgoing Ambassador to Latvia, will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Since 2014, Shannon has been serving as Deputy Director of the Eastern Europe and Central Asia Directorate of Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics (Unity) is also planning to meet with Shannon during his accreditation visit.