The President of Latvia drew attention to the fact that many security risks were common to all Baltic and Nordic countries, thus they were perceived as a common Nordic and Baltic operational space from the point of view of security: “For us and the other NATO member states, it is important to cooperate closely with the nearest partners in the region as recent security challenges can only be overcome by joint efforts.” Raimonds Vējonis noted that the strengthening of regional security should cover a wide range of issues such as defence, security, cyberspace, National Guard, and civil defence.
Addressing the participants of the conference in Salen, that is, Swedish security policy experts, politicians and journalists, the President of Latvia expressed support for closer cooperation between Sweden and the NATO by means of the Extended Opportunities Partner programme. He also called for establishing of a regular NATO-Swedish political dialogue and exchange of information: “Latvia cannot recommend, which path Sweden should choose, but I am convinced that the NATO together with our closest partners in the region, Sweden and Finland, are interested in both minimizing already existing risks and resolving conflicts, as well as ensuring transparent cooperation mechanisms. This would help to promote mutual trust and significantly improve the overall security in the region.”
The President of Latvia also discussed regional cooperation in the field of defence among other issues of bilateral relations in a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden Margot Wallström. Raimonds Vējonis emphasized that Latvia undertook the duties of a coordinating country for Baltic and Nordic cooperation in the NB8 format, and this year the NB-8 proposed strategic communications, cyber security, energy security, and the Eastern Partnership as the major topics, while maintaining them high on the EU’s agenda.
The President of Latvia and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden noted the need for European Union countries to provide mutual solidary assistance and to share their experience in the mechanisms for successful housing and social inclusion of war refugees. Margot Wallström expressed her satisfaction with the successful Swedish and Latvian current partnership and common stance in the face of the major common challenges in Europe inert alia migration crisis and the conflict in Ukraine. Both officials agreed that the settlement of the conflict in Ukraine that is full implementation of the Minsk agreements lied in the interest of pan-European security.