NATO HQ, Brussels 7 June 2001

Background Note by the Ministry of Defence of Spain Signing of the Cooperation Protocol between the Spanish and Latvian Ministries of Defence The Spanish Minister of Defence, Mr Federico Trillo-Figueroa and his Latvian counterpart Mr Valdis Kristovskis, signed last June 7 a Cooperation Protocol between the Ministries of Defence of their respective countries. The signing took place in NATO headquarters on the occasion of the Defence Ministerial Meeting. This Protocol is a framework agreement that establishes collaboration between the Armed Forces, technical, scientific and industrial cooperation, and cultural contacts between the military of both nations. The Protocol establishes a Spanish-Latvian Joint Committee responsible for managing and coordinating the bilateral cooperation in the Defence field, and specifying an Action Plan. After the signing of the Protocol, the Ministers expressed their satisfaction for this Protocol offers new opportunities for the development of bilateral relations. Minister Kristavskis talked about the reforms undertaken and the efforts being made by his Country in order to fulfil the Membership Action Plan. Minister Trillo-Figueroa expressed the support of the Spanish Government to those efforts, and encouraged his colleague to continue with them.