On 3 February 2022, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs, was on an official visit in the Republic of Slovenia. During meetings, the officials exchanged views on the bilateral cooperation between Latvia and Slovenia, security policy and cooperation in NATO, current developments in the European Union, the security situation in Ukraine and the wider region, the EU-China relationship, and cooperation between the two countries in international organisations.
Edgars Rinkēvičs thanked Slovenia for its contribution to the strengthening of Latvia’s security. Latvia highly values the bilateral cooperation between our two countries, the Latvian Foreign Minister said. He expressed certainty that the opening of a Slovenian embassy in Riga would offer further opportunities for cooperation. Slovenia’s participation in the NATO enhanced Forward Presence battle group in Latvia is a significant contribution to the strengthening of security in the Baltic region. We are looking ahead to long-term cooperation, Edgars Rinkēvičs underlined.
The Latvian Foreign Minister emphasised that, under the current volatile security situation in Europe, the Allied unity in a dialogue with Russia was of key importance. Therefore, adjustment measures in NATO’s collective security should be continued.
The officials from both countries exchanged views on the ongoing debate in the European Union concerning the EU’s Strategic Compass. The Foreign Minister noted that in the discussion, ambitions must be balanced with opportunities and the available resources, as well as being able to yield a realistic plan for the development of the Common Security and Defence Policy.
Russia, being responsible for undermining the security situation in Europe, must take measures to reduce tensions and further security risks, Edgars Rinkēvičs said. He noted that the EU must continue expressing its unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In the context of migration flows at the EU’s border with Belarus, Edgars Rinkēvičs thanked Slovenia for the donation of a barbed wire fencing to reinforce the Latvian-Belarusian border. The Foreign Minister drew attention to an increase in the number of illegal border crossings being observed in Latvia.
At the meeting, Edgars Rinkēvičs informed Slovenian officials that the Three Seas Initiative Summit and Business Forum is scheduled to be held this coming 20-21 June in Riga. Slovenia’s experience of organising the 2019 Summit and Business Forum is indeed valuable. A high-level representation of all the 3SI member countries, strategic partners and potential cooperation partners at the Riga Summit is highly important, the Latvian Foreign Minister said.
As part of his official visit, in the capital city of Slovenia, Ljubljana, Edgars Rinkēvičs met with the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, the Prime Minister Janez Janša, the President of the National Assembly, Igor Žorčič, the Minister of Defence, Matej Tonin, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anže Logar.