The Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, and the EU High Representative, Josep Borrell Fontelles, as they met in Riga, agreed that continued support to Ukraine and containing Russia will be needed in the long term.
On 20 July 2024, in a meeting with the High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell Fontelles, the Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, thanked him for his unwavering support to Ukraine and his peace and stability efforts in Europe. The EU High Representative has arrived in Latvia on a working visit.
The Foreign Minister underlined that the EU must be united and consistent in its position and continue to provide timely support – military, financial and political – to Ukraine in the fight against the Russian aggression. Baiba Braže highlighted the need to strengthen EU-NATO cooperation to respond to global geopolitical challenges, including in Ukraine. “A problem for the international community is Russia, whose policy is war. Together, we must make every effort, including the broadening of sanctions against Russia and also Belarus, and implementing the existing ones effectively, so that Russia is not able to restore its military capacity and capabilities, as that would present a threat to the EU and NATO.”
Baiba Braže rated positively the 14th round of sanctions approved against Russia and the 8th round of sanctions against Belarus. At the same time, she stressed the urgent and timely need for the EU to work towards the next round of sanctions.
At the meeting, Baiba Braže informed Josep Borrell of her two-day trip to the eastern border of Latvia, the EU and NATO, where she visited the customs and border control posts on the route to Russia – Terehova – and to Belarus – Pāternieki. The Minister highlighted the enormous contribution and hard work done by Latvia and its responsible authorities to effectively implement the sanctions imposed and prevent their circumvention through effective control at the external border of the EU and NATO. “The security of the EU’s eastern border is critical – it is the first security line guarded by the responsible services of Latvia. Currently, work is going on under the conditions of increased intensity – it calls for both financial and human resources. In addition, 80% of the cargoes crossing the borders into Russia and Belarus are not from Latvia, but other EU countries. Currently, Latvia is shouldering the burden of sanctions control, while this burden should be shared among all EU Member States,” Baiba Braže explained.
The officials agreed that more stringent controls concerning goods to be delivered should be ensured in their countries of origin and declaration. Josep Borrell suggested Baiba Braže inform foreign ministers at the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on Monday, 22 July, of what she had seen and learned during her visit.
The meeting also included a discussion on the situation in the Middle East.
Background information
Baiba Braže to attend EU Foreign Affairs Council | Ārlietu ministrija (mfa.gov.lv)
