The priority topic addressed at the informal meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Prague on 30 and 31 May 2024 was long-term support to Ukraine and the future role of NATO Allies in the provision of supplies and training to Ukrainian armed forces.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže: “A strategic priority and goal: to agree on a support package for Ukraine at the Washington Summit, by which NATO would provide significant military and financial support to Ukraine in the long term. This package provides for political, financial and practical assistance to strengthen Ukraine’s self-defence capabilities in its fight against Russia and to bring Ukraine closer to NATO. Latvia is one of Ukraine’s most active supporters. In addition to the support already provided, in the bilateral cooperation agreement signed earlier this May, Latvia has committed to dedicating at least 0.25% of its GDP to support of Ukraine’s military.”
At the meeting, the Foreign Minister underlined the need to continue Allied discussions on NATO policy vis-à-vis Russia’s aggression. In order to effectively restrict Russia’s ability to rebuild its armed forces and generally pose threat to Euro-Atlantic security, it is necessary to implement a consistent containment strategy of Russia.
Foreign Minister Baiba Braže: “During the meeting, I expressed my support for strengthening the Alliance’s defence industry, especially on NATO's Eastern Flank, including in Latvia – among other things, it aims to shorten supply chains and create new ones, for military use. Work is currently ongoing on the implementation of NATO’s regional defence plans. Deterrence and defence are consistent with NATO’s readiness to respond immediately and protect every square centimetre of Alliance territory.”
Baiba Braže also pointed out that the Washington Summit during the year when NATO turns 75 would mark a critical juncture in the history of the Alliance. “At the Washington Summit an absolute majority of NATO Allies would have reached the target of spending at least 2% of their GDP on defence and some Allies spending considerably more. Latvia and the other two Baltic States have already exceeded this target. Currently Latvia’s defence expenditure reaches 3.11% of GDP,” emphasised Foreign Minister Baiba Braže.
At their informal meeting in Prague, the Foreign Ministers also had discussions on the priorities of the Alliance and the agenda of the Summit of the Heads of State and Government on 9-11 July in Washington, D.C. The Ministers also discussed strengthening cooperation with partners in the Indian-Pacific region – Australia, Republic of Korea, Japan, New Zealand – especially in the areas of cybersecurity, hybrid threats and technologies.
Latvia’s Foreign Minister noted that NATO and its partners, including those in the Indian-Pacific region, must continue to stand for the rules-based international order and values such as democracy and the rule of law. It is essential for Latvia that, under NATO’s 360-degree approach to security, an equally high importance is attached to strengthening security of the countries located in the south of the Alliance.
Background information
- On 23 May 2024, Foreign Minister Baiba Braže met with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels and discussed the priorities for the upcoming NATO Summit to be held in Washington on 9-11 July, the development of NATO’s deterrence and defence capabilities, comprehensive support for Ukraine, and the need to develop a strategy to rein in Russia.
- Support for Ukraine will also be on the agenda of the B9 (Bucharest Nine) meeting in Riga on 11 June.
- On 15-16 June, Lucerne in Switzerland will host the Summit on Peace in Ukraine.
