On 8 September 2022, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs, met with the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee at the Spanish Congress of Deputies, Pau Marí Klose. Their conversation addressed the bilateral relations between the two countries, security policy topics of current relevance, and provision of further assistance and support to Ukraine.
Edgars Rinkēvičs commended the close cooperation that links Latvia and Spain. The Minister thanked Spain for its significant contribution to the strengthening of the Baltic States’ security, and he highlighted in particular the regular participation by Spain in the Baltic Air Policing mission. The officials then discussed the need to implement the decisions of the Madrid Summit in a targeted manner. The Minister pointed out that a gradual development of a brigade-level battleworthy unit in Latvia and the other Baltic States is a key element in ensuring NATO’s collective defence.
In an exchange of views on the situation in Ukraine, the Minister underlined that a pressure from the international community on Russia must continue. The officials were unanimous that support and aid to Ukraine must not decrease. Edgars Rinkēvičs emphasised that the reduction of dependence of the energy sector on Russia must become a priority for all the EU Member States in the coming months.
During his stay, the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee will also visit the Ādaži Military Base and have a meeting with the Chair of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee, Rihard Kols.