On 7 December 2021, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Andris Pelšs, took part, via video-conferencing, in an international conference titled “The Future of Transatlantic Relations” and organised by Sofia Security Forum in association with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and the NATO Crisis Management and Disaster Response Centre of Excellence.
In his remarks to the participants, the State Secretary highlighted transatlantic unity as the main condition for countering current traditional and emerging security challenges. Regardless of the increasing security challenges we must not forget threats in their classical understanding, the State Secretary noted. He added that fundamental security and defence should be maintained and further strengthened at both national and transatlantic level.
We must be prepared to respond not only to the migration crisis and regular disinformation campaigns unfolding at the borders of NATO’s eastern flank, but also to threats and challenges still caused to the Alliance by Russia and China, as well as terrorism. The State Secretary thanked the states contributing to NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence who provide an invaluable input to the overall security of the Alliance as well as serving as a prerequisite for defence and deterrence.
The participants of the conference were in agreement that the transatlantic link is the basis for preserving peace and stability across the European continent. Democratic values shared by the USA and Europe and the protection thereof are more vital than ever in response to common security challenges in the transatlantic space. The complex issues of defence and security demand a new approach.
Andris Pelšs recalled the meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs successfully concluded in Riga last week, which sent a significant political message concerning the reinforcement of security, and challenges in the transatlantic space, as well as mapping out NATO’s further tasks, including continued work on NATO’s next Strategic Concept ahead of NATO Summit in Madrid in June 2022.