14 July 2006

NATO Secretary General visits Latvia News 12/07/2006 - NATO NATO Secretary General to visit Latvia Background The Road to Riga Opinions 14/07/2006 - NATO Speech by NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer in Riga Multimedia 14/07/2006 - Latvia High resolution photos of the visit by the NATO Secretary General to Latvia 14/07/2006 - Latvia Speech by NATO Secretary General in Cesis at the event marking the 800th anniversary of the city NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer visited Latvia on 14 July to discuss with the Latvian authorities preparations for the Alliance summit meeting in Riga on 28-29 November 2006. The Secretary General toured the conference facilities, which are still under construction. Work on schedule It is clear that the design of the facilities will ensure an excellent working atmosphere for the meetings, and that construction is on schedule, he said. Mr. De Hoop Scheffer has also held meetings with President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis, Foreign Minister Artis Pabriks and Defence Minister Atis Slakteris to discuss both the agenda of the summit meeting and the priorities for work between now and November. The Secretary General also addressed the Young Leaders Forum “Building Bridges for the Next Generation” in Riga. His speech was followed by a debate with the participants. "The Riga Summit will consolidate and reinforce the evolution of NATO to continue to defend the interests and values of its member states, of course maintaining the Article V commitment at its heart," he told the Forum, "In this very city the leaders of NATO nations will further shape the Alliance in view of 21st century challenges." In addition, the Secretary General travelled to Cesis to attend an event marking the 800th anniversary of the city.