In a meeting with the United States Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia, James O’Brien, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, welcomed support provided by the U.S. for the security of the Baltic States and Europe. The Minister called on the U.S. to expand its military and economic presence in Latvia, which would serve as a strong deterrent signal to Russia while also sending a confident signal to foreign investors about a safe and attractive investment environment in Latvia.
Baiba Braže and James O’Brien were unanimous about the need to continue constraining Russian aggression in Ukraine through an effective introduction and tightening of sanctions on Russia and its co-aggressors, sanctions being one of the tools to erode Russia’s economy and war machinery.
The Minister offered an insight into the discussions at the EU Foreign Affairs Council earlier this week on the application of new sanctions against Russia and third countries, while highlighting concrete proposals by Latvia.
Both Baiba Braže and James O’Brien expressed their firm commitment to continued military, financial and humanitarian support to Ukraine. The Minister called on the United States to lift any restrictions on military support to Ukraine.
Baiba Braže also briefed the Assistant Sceretary on her visit to Moldova and Ukraine together with ministers from the Baltic States and Nordic countries (NB8) this week.
The Minister pointed out that the NB8 ministers had voiced their strong support for Moldova’s resilience and democratic processes ahead of two key votes due on Sunday, 20 October: the presidential election and a constitutional referendum on Moldova’s accession to the European Union. The Minister had also expressed support for Moldova’s integration with the EU and their commitment to continued political and practical assistance to Moldova on its path to the EU membership.
Baiba Braže underlined that NB8 countries were the world’s second largest donor after the United States in terms of aid to Ukraine. She also noted that this week, on 15 October, the Latvian government approved additional financing of 1.7 million euros in support of Ukraine in order to facilitate civilian mine clearance, overcome the critical situation in the energy sector, aggravated by the approaching winter, and undertake other measures.
James O'Brien has arrived in Latvia in connection with The Rīga Conference 2024. Together with Foreign Minister Baiba Braže and the Lithuanian Foreign Minister, Gabrielius Landsbergis, he participated in a discussion on the future of Euro-Atlantic security and its development directions.
About The Rīga Conference
- Since 2006, the Riga Conference has been a major forum for security and foreign policy in Northern Europe. It has become a platform for international discussion, bringing together prominent senior officials from Latvia and abroad, internationally recognised experts and media representatives for an exchange of views on European and global security and economy issues.
- This year it focuses on the following topics: future of European security; Ukraine’s victory in the war; the impact of sanctions on the Russian economy and its internal stability; NATO’s 360-degree strategy and global partnerships; the role and agenda of the United Nations in the geopolitical reality of the moment; the impact of AI on national security, the information space and international relations.
- More than 600 participants have applied for this year’s conference.
- The event is taking place in person and online, streamed online at www.rigaconference.lv, and broadcast by Latvian and international information partners. The conference will also be available to watch on social media platforms of Facebook, YouTube, and others.
Agenda
- #RigaConf2024 pilna programma (Agenda)
- Pavadošo pasākumu programma (Side events)
