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NATO shows Latvia solidarity
28 April 2014
Lieutenant General Mark Schissler, Deputy Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, is in Latvia for a three-day visit to reaffirm NATO’s solidarity and commitment to collective defence.
The ongoing crisis in Ukraine has reinforced solidarity among the Allies and shown that its commitment to maintaining peace and security in the Euro-Atlantic area is stronger than ever. “Latvia made a free and sovereign choice ten years ago and it chose peace, stability and independence. Our job is to preserve this stability and do all necessary to defend our Allies,” Lieutenant General Mark Schissler stressed at a joint press conference today with Lieutenant General Raimonds Graube, Latvia’s Chief of Defence.
On 16 April 2014, the North Atlantic Council agreed on further military measures to reinforce collective defence and demonstrate the strength of allied solidarity. Speaking from Riga, the Deputy Chairman elaborated on these measures, which include: tripling NATO’s Air Policing posture in the Baltic region with allied aircraft from the United Kingdom, Denmark, and Poland; enhancing situational awareness by deploying allied warships to the Baltic Sea; and daily AWACS surveillance missions over Poland and Romania. In addition, Lieutenant General Schissler stated that soldiers from individual Allied countries and units from NATO Standing Reaction Forces will train and exercise together in the region, in order to enhance readiness and show their commitment.
“These measures are defensive and entirely in line with our international commitments. They send a clear message that NATO will protect every Ally and defend against any threat against our fundamental security,” said the Deputy Chairman, adding: “In the long term, we will have to review our military posture and readiness in the light of this new strategic situation. It is too early to draw detailed conclusions, but we will have to discuss this as we prepare for the Wales NATO Summit in September.”
Since 2003, Latvia has supported the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan and actively contributed to train, advise and assist the Afghan National Security Forces. It has also participated in many NATO exercises and hosted Steadfast Jazz 2013, which successfully trained around 6,000 personnel from 28 NATO member nations as well as three-partner nations (Sweden, Finland and Ukraine) in a combined multinational setting. “Your contribution to the NATO Response Force is much appreciated, particularly in the maritime domain…There is no doubt that your commitment to this Alliance is solid,” emphasized Lieutenant General Schissler.
During his trip, which will conclude on Wednesday 30 April 2014, the Deputy Chairman will hold talks with Mr. Raimonds Vējonis, Latvia’s Minister of Defence, and visit Lielvārde Air Force Base.