On 29 March 2023, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Andris Pelšs, welcomed the State Secretaries from the Foreign Ministries of the Baltic States and Nordic countries (Nordic-Baltic Eight, NB8) to their annual meeting in Riga organised this year by Latvia as the coordinator of cooperation in the NB8 format.
In line with the priorities set by Latvia for cooperation in the NB8 format, the meeting was dedicated to regional security issues. The participants focused on important matters for discussion – support for Ukraine, holding Russia accountable, topics of current importance for NATO, as well as the role of NB8 in the promotion of the rules-based international order.
The meeting was chaired by the State Secretary Andris Pelšs, who underlined that assistance to Ukraine, especially military and financial, must continue unabated. The security of our region depends on the outcome of Russia’s war in Ukraine; therefore, support must be given for as long as it would be necessary. Pressure must also be maintained on Russia, both by adopting new sanctions and by preventing attempts to circumvent the existing restrictive measures.
The State Secretary called on partners to continue working on an international mechanism to prosecute the crime of aggression, or the creation of a special tribunal. It is necessary to ensure Russia’s accountability for the crime of aggression it has committed against Ukraine. “Being like-minded, NB8 countries should further contribute to the strengthening of the rules-based international order, especially the active cooperation of NB8 countries within the United Nations Human Rights Council,” Andris Pelšs emphasized.
During the meeting, the NB8 state secretaries visited the Ādaži military base and observed the international military exercise, Crystal Arrow 2023, organized by the Mechanized Infantry Brigade of the Land Forces and taking place in Latvia from 20 to 31 March. The purpose of the exercise is to improve mutual cooperation between the armed forces of NATO countries, to integrate elements of combat support and combat security for the manoeuvring of units, to plan and execute offensive and defensive operations, as well as to certify the NATO enhanced Forward Presence battle group in Latvia.
Background information
The NB8 format comprises Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden.
The main objective of the NB8 cooperation of Latvia 2023 is “Building a future security environment”, and the following priorities have been set: 1) strengthening of rules-based international order; 2) strengthening of military security and deterrence capabilities; 3) strengthening of resilience.
More information on Latvia’s coordination year for NB8 cooperation.
More information on international military exercise (in Latvian).