On 27 February, President of Latvia Egils Levits visited Section 3, Riga Region Division, State Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and Riga Central Police Station, Riga Region Division, State Police (SP).
President of Latvia inspected the stations of both services and talked to the staff on duty. He praised SP and SFRS personnel for their professional diligence despite poor infrastructure. Egils Levits thanked police and fire and rescue service staff for their professionality in ensuring the safety of Latvian people.
‘Visit confirmed my position that I have repeatedly vocalised during my visits to the Saeima and meetings with Prime Minister and Minister for Interior. Internal security of Latvia, including strengthening and development of the capacity of interior system institutions, is our national priority because Latvia’s internal security is as vital as security against external threats and boosting of National Armed Force capabilities. For our people, security is an integrated approach comprised of both the internal and external dimensions. I strongly welcome additional funding for interior needs earmarked in the 2023 government budget. However, funding must continue to grow in the coming years,’ Egils Levits said after the meeting with SP and SFRS.
SP and SFRS leadership presented further infrastructure development plans of both services to the President of Latvia, which are closely tied to increased budget funding in future.
‘Interior sector must benefit from more modern technical equipment and infrastructure, as well as continue to streamline its procedures for better efficiency. Both the personnel and people of Latvia need that,’ the President of Latvia concluded.
