International security-related developments, strengthening of bilateral cooperation in security and economy, support to Ukraine in view of the negative impact and risks posed on a global scale by Russia’s aggression against Ukraine – those were key topics addressed during the bilateral working visit by the Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong. Both officials agree that Ukraine’s victory is equally important for both the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic regions, and that rules rooted in the United Nations Charter are important for, and binding on all regions.
The Foreign Ministers praised the current successful bilateral cooperation between Latvia and Australia, which needs to be strengthened further. Baiba Braže invited Penny Wong on a working visit to Latvia, and the Australian Foreign Minister accepted the invitation.
The Foreign Minister Baiba Braže: “Australia has a significant role to play in the Indo-Pacific region. By supporting Ukraine and strongly condemning Russia’s aggression, Australia has brought a significant contribution to strengthening both the European and global security situation.
Latvia and Australia are like-minded partners on a wide range of topics, including challenges in the Euro-Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific regions. This has fostered close cooperation between Latvia and Australia, including in the fields with high potential – in relation to kinetic and hybrid threats, and their prevention. I highly appreciate Australia’s decision to join the Latvian-initiated Drone Coalition in support of Ukraine, as well as the work of an Australian expert at the NATO Strategic Communication Centre of Excellence in Riga.”
Speaking at the conference dealing with hybrid threats, The Sydney Dialogue 2024, Baiba Braže highlighted the specific nature of hybrid threats: they know no boundaries, and can be addressed only through international collective action.
In meeting students at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology as a guest lecturer, Baiba Braže shared Latvia’s experience and expertise in fighting hybrid threats, especially Russia’s hybrid activities targeting Latvia and the Baltic States as a whole for several decades. The Foreign Minister pointed out that the means to address hybrid threats were set out in the concept of Comprehensive National Defence of Latvia.
In a roundtable discussion at the New South Wales Business Chamber (Business NSW), with representatives from the largest Australian drone industry companies among its participants, Baiba Braže shared Latvia’s experience with new technologies and digital innovations, also drone technologies and their testing, personnel training and lessons learned in Ukraine. Opportunities were discussed for cooperation between Latvian and Australian companies and experts in that sector.
The Foreign Minister met with members of the Latvian diaspora in Australia for a discussion on latest developments in Latvia’s external and domestic policy and on various topics of interest for the Latvian community, including the situation in Ukraine.
Further information / facts:
- On 27 August 1991, Australia recognised Latvia’s independence, becoming one of the first countries to announce its decision to establish diplomatic relations with the Baltic States.
- Relations between Latvia and Australia date back to 1921.
- Former Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs went to Australia on a working visit in August 2022, when he officially inaugurated the Latvian Embassy in Australia.
- Australia is home to one of the largest Latvian diasporas in the world, with various diaspora organizations bringing together around 25,000 Latvians.
- Foreign Minister Baiba Braže to go on a working visit to Australia, Singapore, Indonesia and the Republic of Korea
