“For the first time in history, all the Baltic States and Nordic countries are now part of a single security alliance, while ever closer mutual geopolitical and economic integration opens up new opportunities for development. We share common values and a common understanding of threats: we understand the consequences of the Russian aggression for European and global security. Our support to Ukraine is therefore unwavering: the NB8 countries all together is the second largest donor of military aid to Ukraine, after the United States. I am pleased that the visibility and importance of the NB8 format is increasing both in our region and internationally, as evidenced by regular NB8 meetings at different levels and sectors, joint visits and meetings with partner countries, including a recent visit by the Foreign Ministers of NB8 countries to Moldova in October, where they expressed their support for its reform and European integration processes,” Foreign Minister Braže underlined, as she congratulated the Stockholm School of Economics in Riga on its 30th anniversary.
On Thursday, 14 November 2024, the Stockholm School of Economics in Riga celebrates its 30th anniversary by hosting a Baltic Business and Public Policy Summit. At the event, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, delivered a speech on “The Future of Our Security”.
She also emphasised that the NB8 is united in its opinion that support should be provided to Ukraine in the field of energy, social infrastructure and humanitarian aid – this was also confirmed by the NB8 Foreign Ministers during their joint visit to Ukraine, Odessa, this past 16 October.
Baiba Braže expressed her acknowledgement to the SSE Riga Rector, Anders Paalzow, and the team of the school, for their contribution to the Latvian economy and long-standing successful cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Graduates of the Stockholm School of Economics in Riga are also among the employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Minister praised the contribution by SSE Riga to creating an international academic environment and attracting students from outside Latvia. The Centre for Sustainable Business, the Centre for Media Studies and the Baltic International Centre for Economic Policy Studies (BICEPS) run by the school contribute to the analysis of economic growth in the Baltic States and promoting media freedom internationally. During the Latvia 20 EU and Latvia 20 NATO communication campaigns, jointly with SSE Riga, Baiba Braže has shared Latvia’s experience of accession to the European Union and NATO, when the Foreign Ministry hosted diplomats from Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan.
The Minister also met with the National Security Advisor to the Government of Sweden, Henrik Landerholm, who was the Ambassador of Sweden to Latvia from 2014 to 2017. In the conversation, the minister commended Sweden’s coordination of NB8 cooperation in 2024 and exchanged views on the growing importance of joint action in the areas of security and defence on the NB8 agenda. During the conversation, the Minister welcomed Sweden’s decision to send a combat battalion to Latvia in 2025 and join the NATO multinational Brigade.
Further information
- Contribution by the Stockholm School of Economics in Riga to Latvia’s economy: https://www.sseriga.edu/celebrating-30-years-sse-riga-graduates-profound-impact-latvias-economy
