On 1 November, President Edgars Rinkēvičs visited the Special Operations Command (SOC) of the National Armed Forces (NAF), where he met with the Special Task Force (STF) and convened a meeting of the President's Military Council at the unit's base. The Council reviewed border defence and the development of the national defence service.
The first meeting of the President's Military Council convened by E. Rinkēvičs was held at the Special Operations Command. The meeting reported in detail on the reinforcement of the military infrastructure of the eastern border and also heard about other plans to fulfil the tasks of the National Defence Concept approved by the Saeima, including the planned development of the National Defence Service. The Council endorsed the strengthening of the military infrastructure for the defence of Latvia's eastern border and the action measures.
"The Saeima has set out the objectives of the National Defence Concept. The current Cabinet of Ministers is committed to providing national defence funding of no less than 3% of gross domestic product to achieve these goals. Currently, the National Defence is based on the importance of targeted and timely use of available resources to achieve and maintain combat capability and readiness. In addition to the construction of the fence, we need to establish adequate military infrastructure in the border area to protect Latvia's eastern borders, so that Latvia can be protected from the 'first centimetre' without any doubt," the President of Latvia emphasised.
During the visit, President Rinkēvičs met with the Minister of Defence Andris Sprūds, the Commander of the NAF Lieutenant General Leonids Kalniņš and the Commander of the SOC NAF Navy Captain Andrejs Zaburdajevs. The President was introduced to the STF's abilities, tasks and service conditions. "The contribution of the Special Task Forces cannot be overestimated in the context of country's ability to respond to hybrid threats. Thank you for the high readiness shown in the execution of the service tasks," emphasised E. Rinkēvičs. The President of Latvia appreciated the unit's local and international cooperation, which is an important contribution of the SOC to the security and defence of Latvia.
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The SOC is a unit of the National Armed Forces whose main task is to conduct special operations in the interests of the Republic of Latvia. Its soldiers are specially assigned, organised, trained and equipped, using special tactics, equipment and techniques not typical of regular forces units.
The President's Military Council is established in accordance with Article 8 of the National Security Law and supports the President of the Republic of Latvia in the implementation of the defence function laid down in the Constitution and the laws of the Republic of Latvia and in the performance of the duties of the Supreme Commander of the National Armed Forces.