On March 15, President of Latvia Egils Levits met with the Speaker of the Senate of Canada, Mr George J. Furey. During the conversation, E. Levits thanked the Speaker of the Canadian Senate for Canada's significant contribution to strengthening the security of Latvia and the Baltic region.
During the meeting, the President of Latvia and the Speaker of the Canadian Senate reaffirmed the strong commitment and cooperation of the two countries to increase the NATO enhanced presence in Latvia to brigade level. Latvia has decided to increase its defence budget to 2.5% of GDP in 2025 to strengthen national security and defence and to ensure the accelerated development of the National Armed Forces' combat capabilities, emphasized E. Levits.
The President of Latvia also particularly appreciated Canada’s professional leadership of the Latvian battle group of the NATO enhanced presence as an excellent example for other countries in establishing a multinational cooperation model of NATO military units.
During the meeting, the President of Latvia and the Speaker of the Senate of Canada reiterated the unity of the two countries as NATO members in their attitude towards Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. Furthermore, both sides noted the need to continue providing political and practical support to Ukraine, including in the upcoming NATO heads of state and government summit in Vilnius in July this year.
Finally, the legislative practice of the Canadian Senate regarding the transfer of frozen Russian funds to Ukraine was discussed. The President also emphasized the need for an ad hoc international tribunal to try Russia for the crime of aggression against Ukraine.
