European security depends on the ability to produce essential protection technology / day
As the President’s Adviser Martins Dreger informed LETA, during an official visit to Rinkēvičs, there was an audience at the Crown Prince Regent Hokon. He also participated in the opening of the Norwegian and Latvian Defense Industry Forum and met with Norwegian Prime Minister Juna Gara Seri, President of the Norwegian Parliament Massd Garahhani, as well as members of the Norwegian Parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.
In a conversation with the Norwegian Prime Minister, the President of the Norwegian Parliament and the members of the Parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, the President of Latvia welcomed close regional cooperation, especially in the Baltic and Nordic (NB8) format. Rinkēvičs confirmed Latvia’s interest in promoting economic cooperation, especially between the Latvian and Norwegian defense industries and expressed Latvia’s interest in even more Norwegian investments in Latvia.
During the meetings with the Norwegian senior officials, the President of Latvia expressed his gratitude for the support provided by Norway for Ukraine and the commitment to provide equipment and training for the Brigade size unit together with NB8 countries.
Rinkēvičs confirmed Latvia’s desire to continue close cooperation to curb Russia, for example, by strengthening sanctions and restricting the « shadow fleet ». The President of Latvia expressed his gratitude for the contribution of Norway to strengthening regional security. Rinkēvičs expressed confidence that in June, the allies at the NATO Summit in Hague should decide on a significant increase in defense investment.
At the opening of the Norwegian and Latvian Defense Industry Forum, the President of Latvia emphasized that increasing defense expenses, obtaining critical capabilities and investments in the defense sector are urgently needed. He stressed that cooperation and coordination of the Baltic and Nordic countries are becoming more important.
« Our overall goal is to ensure the resilience of NATO Alliance and the ability to maintain military support for Ukraine. European security depends on our ability to produce essential defense technologies at home. In order to achieve this, it is important to cooperate and maintain technological superiority, » Rinkevich emphasized.
The President of Latvia invited Crown Prince to visit Latvia on his visit to Hokon. During his visit, Rinkēvičs also met with representatives of the Latvian diaspora in Norway.
