Current LatviaTHEME IN FOCUS: NATO No. 21, 14 January 2002
NATO Secretary General: Admission to NATO will depend on successful implementation of the MAP At the working meeting with the Prime Minister of Latvia Mr Andris Berzins on 14 December 2001 in NATO Headquarters in Brussels, the NATO Secretary General Lord Robertson stated that positive decision of the NATO countries at the Summit in Prague on the admission of Latvia to the Alliance will depend on successful implementation of the NATO Membership Action Plan and remarked that the improvement of relations between NATO and Russia which serves interests of both parties will not have negative effect on NATO enlargement process but will rather promote it, including also integration of Latvia and other Baltic States in NATO. The Secretary General reaffirmed his intention to visit Latvia in February. In the framework of his visit to NATO the Prime Minister joined a working lunch held by Latvia's Liaison Office with NATO Headquarters in Brussels to which were invited the Ambassadors of the United States, Germany, Canada and the United Kingdom to NATO. The Ambassadors voiced their support to NATO enlargement process and Latvia's membership in the Alliance. MFA MFA press release of 14 December 2001 "Improvement of NATO-Russia relations to facilitate NATO enlargement process": http://www.am.gov.lv/en/?id=2449
NATO Assistant Secretary General welcomes Latvia's progress towards NATO On 11 January 2001 the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Mr Indulis Berzins met NATO Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs Mr Gunter Altenburg. During the meeting the issues relating to the achievements of Latvia in its progress towards NATO were discussed. Mr Gunter Altenburg welcomed Latvia's progress towards NATO. Mr Altenburg noted that, following the events of 11 September, the situation in the world has changed, and the development of the security policy in Europe has good prospect. Both parties supported the opinion that the antagonism of Russia concerning the issues relating to the enlargement of NATO, including the admission of the Baltic States to NATO, continues to diminish, Russia's position becomes more pragmatic and oriented to the improvement of the relationship between NATO and Russia. Mr Berzins stressed that participation of Latvia in NATO is not directed against the third countries, but towards the common co-operation in the prevention of the new challenges faced by the world. The Minister noted, that the participation of the Baltic States in NATO will contribute to the development of the stability and growth in the region and that Latvia's participation in the EU and NATO will comprise a factor contributing to the co-operation between Latvia and Russia, as it is with the new NATO member states. Mr Indulis Berzins affirmed that Latvia is interested in developing of good neighbouring relationship with Russia and pointed to already existing examples of successful co-operation with this neighbouring state. The Minister of Foreign Affairs also expressed the opinion that the expressly elaborated NATO position for the enlargement will encourage the mutual understanding and stability in the region. MFA MFA press release of 11 January 2002 "NATO Deputy Secretary General welcomes Latvia's progress towards NATO": http://www.am.gov.lv/en/?id=2461 BNS news of 11 January 2002 "NATO experts praise Latvia's goals and progress on path to alliance": http://www.am.gov.lv/en/?id=325
Latvia approves of improvement of relations between NATO and Russia At the regular Foreign Ministers Meeting of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) in Brussels on 7 December 2001 the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr Maris Riekstins reported on Latvia's support and contribution to the operations of the U.S.-led international anti-terrorist coalition and Latvia's activities in the framework of the NATO Membership Action Plan, as well as expressed approval of the ongoing improvement process of the relations between NATO and Russia. The Foreign Ministers Meeting of the EAPC marked clear and outspoken support to NATO enlargement and admission of new countries to the Alliance during the NATO Summit in Prague. The NATO Secretary General Lord Robertson, with reference to the Foreign Ministers Meeting of NATO member states the day before, confirmed that the Alliance is committed to continue the enlargement process and called on the candidate countries to continue active implementation of the NATO Membership Action Plan. In the framework of the Foreign Ministers Meeting in Brussels the 10 NATO candidate countries, including Latvia adopted a joint statement condemning terrorism and expressing commitment to co-operate in the framework of the international anti-terrorist coalition. Before the plenary session, the heads of the delegations from the 10 NATO candidate countries met the U.S. Secretary of State Mr Colin L. Powell. The Secretary of State expressed gratitude to the candidate countries for the support to the USA in the fight against terrorism and confirmed once again that the USA strongly supports further enlargement of NATO. MFA MFA press release of 7 December 2001 "Foreign Ministers Meeting of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council took place in Brussels": http://www.am.gov.lv/en/?id=2438
European parliamentarians for the first time express a common position on NATO enlargement and support for the admission of the Baltic States to the Alliance The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia welcomes the joint European parliamentary initiative on the issue of NATO enlargement. European parliamentarians from eight European countries âÀ“ Germany, France, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic have issued a joint statement, urging the member states of the Alliance to invite the best-prepared candidate countries âÀ“ Slovenia, Slovakia, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to NATO at the Prague Summit. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia notes with satisfaction that for the first time during the enlargement debate representatives from parliaments of European countries have made known their common position concerning the next round of the enlargement of the Alliance and acknowledged the vital interest of Europeans in the soonest possible accession of the Eastern European EU candidate countries to NATO. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia aligns itself with the conviction expressed in the statement that admission of new member sates, including the Baltic States, would strengthen security and stability in Europe. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia believes that this joint initiative will certainly encourage the enlargement debate and will become an important contribution and add impetus to the formation of the common position of NATO and the decision-making in Prague. The joint statement of the European parliamentarians came at the initiative of the member of the German Bundestag and Vice-President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Mr Markus Meckel. The European MPs in the letter about their common position also appealed to the U.S. Senators Mr Tom Daschle and Mr Trent Lott, calling on them to distribute the statement in the U.S. Senate and to take it into consideration when making their final decision in the USA. MFA MFA press release of 18 December 2001 "European parliamentarians for the first time express a common position on NATO enlargement and support for the admission of the Baltic States to the Alliance": http://www.am.gov.lv/en/?id=2453
National budget adopted by Saeima allows for successful implementation of NATO Membership Action Plan 2002 On 29 November 2001 the Latvian Parliament (Saeima) adopted the national budget for 2002, which allows for successful implementation of NATO Membership Action Plan 2002. NATO Membership Action Plan (MAP) includes not only Latvia's preparation for meeting NATO defence and military criteria, but also governmental policy in other spheres, e.g., society integration, observance of human rights and reassessment of history. Economic development, formation of favourable investment climate and corruption prevention are important aspects as well. Touching upon concrete chapters of the MAP, it should be noted that the defence budget for 2002 will amount to 1.75% of the GDP, as compared to 2001 when it was 1.35% of the GDP. The funding has been increased in compliance with the State Defence Financing Law adopted on 5 April 2001, which stipulates that in 2003 the defence budget will amount to 2% of the GDP. As to the chapter on politics and economy, in the field of society integration there is a considerable increase âÀ“ by 40% âÀ“ for the work of the Society Integration Foundation. The budget for bonus payments to bilingual teachers will grow by 10%. A stable amount of financial resources is also set for the Naturalisation Board and the National Programme for Latvian Language Training. The budget allocation for the National Human Rights Office will grow by 10%. Latvia's History Commission will continue receiving financial support from the state. In the area of economic development the MAP envisages giving particular attention to corruption combating. To this end, a new institution âÀ“ Corruption Prevention and Combating Office âÀ“ has been established with the funding amounting to LVL 400,000 in 2002. The national budget adopted by the Saeima once again confirms Latvia's determination to achieve compliance with the political and military criteria of NATO and to be prepared to receive an invitation to join the Alliance at the NATO Summit in Prague in November 2002. MFA URL: http://www.am.gov.lv/en/?id=2419
Latvian Transatlantic Organisation (LATO) Information Centre opened in Riga Latvian Transatlantic Organisation (LATO) has established an information centre in Riga where anybody interested can find information on NATO, Latvia's integration into the Alliance, security policy and policy of international relations in general. The information centre building also houses LATO office and premises where public discussions can be held. Thus, it will serve not only as the place where one can get information but also as a forum for active information exchange on foreign and security policies. The information centre received financial or other support from the Latvian Defence Ministry, U.S. Government, World Federation of Free Latvians and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. At the opening ceremony of the Information Centre on 18 December 2001 Latvian Foreign Minister Mr Indulis Berzins said informing population and resulting public understanding were vital in Latvia's movement towards NATO. "Neither Latvian President nor the Government will join NATO. It will be the Latvian population, therefore informedness and understanding by these people are needed," said the Foreign Minister. Latvian Transatlantic Organisation: http://www.lato.lv/
Mobile exhibition "The Allies. Latvia on its way to NATO" raises public awareness about defence issues The Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in co-operation with the War Museum and the Occupation Museum have prepared an exhibition "The Allies. Latvia on its way to NATO". The goal of this exhibition is to provide the society with clear information on Latvia's defence policy in the past, which substantiates the present aspirations to search for Western allies. The visitors of the exhibition will be able to acquire comprehensive and thorough information on the history of Latvia's Army and the present time, when Latvia has declared the accession to NATO as one of its foreign policy priorities. The understanding of the society concerning this aim is essential before NATO Summit in Prague in November 2002. From 12 to 30 November the exhibition "The Allies. Latvia on its way to NATO" was put on display in different localities in Riga. Until spring, the exhibition will travel around all regional centres of Latvia. Ministry of Defence http://www.mod.lv/ Ministry of Defence press release "The mobile exhibition "The Allies. Latvia on its way to NATO" is opened": http://www.mod.lv/english/05jaunumi/index.php?id=557
Latvia's Annual National Program 2002, Executive Summary On 10 September 2001 Latvia's NATO Integration Council reviewed and accepted draft of Latvia's Annual National Program 2002 (ANP 2002). On 18 September ANP 2002 was approved by the Government and on 28 September 2001 submitted to Dr Gunter Altenburg, NATO Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs. Latvia's Annual National Program 2002 is developed on the basis of experience gained while preparing ANP 2000 and ANP 2001. It is also designed, taking into account NATO "Progress Report on Latvia's Annual National Program 2001" and valuable comments provided by Allied countries during bilateral consultations, as well as fundamental ANP development principles. Several new aspects have been incorporated in ANP 2002. Overview of force structure reflects our new financially substantiated force structure, which has been adjusted to the needs and goals of Latvia and harmonised with the standards set by NATO. Operative and mobilisation planning constitutes an important part of State defence planning and plays a significant role in defining operative duties and capabilities in case of crisis situation. Development of Host Nation Support system is an important element in the capabilities of the receipt of reinforcements in the territory of Latvia and the provision of adequate supplies. NATO integration issues are discussed in the general chapter "Integration into NATO", where main emphasis is on interoperability with armed forces of NATO and partner countries.
ANP 2002 consists of six chapters and three annexes:
Annexes reflect several elements of society integration, ANP 2002 implementation plan, as well as a half-year report on the implementation of Latvia's Annual National Program 2001.
Latvia's Annual National Program 2002, Executive Summary: http://www.am.gov.lv/en/?id=4491
Intervention by Mr Maris Riekstins, State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia at the meeting of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council in Foreign Ministers Session, Brussels, 7 December 2001 NATO's role in the fight against terrorism after the events of 11th September has been significant and focused. The broad scope of countries represented around the EAPC table highlighted the value of our Council. I want to use this opportunity to share with you Latvia's perspective on three aspects linked to the fight against terrorism: Latvia's responses, NATO enlargement and improving NATO-Russian relations.
Latvia's responses On 12th September, Latvia's position about the events of the preceding day was expressed at EAPC Ambassadorial level. It was a joint position taken together with the other nine NATO candidate countries. We aligned ourselves with the position taken by the NAC. After NATO invoked article 5 of the Washington Treaty we stated that Latvia's place is within the coalition among NATO member countries. The highest political support was given by our President at the Summit meeting of 10 Presidents with the Secretary General in Sofia a few weeks later. But as we all know, political support needs to be bolstered by practical actions. That is why Latvia's Government speedily set up a high level Task Force led by the Prime Minister. It produced an Action Plan within a couple of weeks aimed at ensuring that Latvia's territory, banking system or any other assets can not be used by terrorists. Strengthened cooperation among security services, legislative amendments providing for better control over financial transfers and tightening of border controls are among the measures taken by Latvia. More recently Latvia has consigned humanitarian aid to Afghanistan and indicated a readiness to double our participation in peace support operations in the Balkans to release Allied forces for other duties.
NATO Enlargement NATO's Secretary General has clearly stated that 11th September has not invalidated, but rather enforced the rationale for the previous NATO agenda, including enlargement. Indeed, the cooperation in fighting the terrorism underlines the need for permanent allied relationship, based on common values. Enlargement will increase the number of countries tied by the solemn commitment to address any security threat together. It will increase our preparedness to respond to threats. But I want to assure you that Latvia will not be complacent about the question of whether we will qualify for an invitation at Prague. Instead, we will continue to work right up to the line, and beyond. Performance in MAP and restructuring of our Armed Forces will remain at the top of our agenda. Our contributions to security in the Euroatlantic area will be reinforced by the ongoing success of Baltic cooperation, by participation in peace operations in the Balkans and by continuing engagement in the fight against terrorism.
NATO-Russia A fundamental principle that we have learned over the years of our preparation for membership is that a long-term substantial intensification of relations can only be based on the shared values and shared assessment of risks to our societies. The degree of trust that can develop between the Alliance and Russia is also dependent on the common value base. We welcome the recent change in Russia's position towards more intensive and constructive cooperation with the West in general and NATO in particular. Latvia has always supported strong and stable relations between NATO and Russia. Now there are better conditions to exploit the potential contained in the NATO-Russia Founding Act of 1997. It is not so much the format of councils, but the quality of contribution that matters for the relations to be successful. When discussing the strengthened cooperation between the Alliance and Russia, one should not neglect the existing instruments for NATO's outreach. Perhaps the mechanisms of PfP can be used also in the context of strengthened NATO-Russia cooperation. This way, those Partners that do not want to join the Alliance will not be cut out of the cooperation, and the PfP programme itself will retain more relevance.
Thank you, Mr Chairman! URL: http://www.am.gov.lv/en/?id=3633
Statement of the Vilnius Group by Mr Dimitrij Rupel, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia at the EAPC Foreign Ministers Meeting, 7 December 2001 We, the Foreign Ministers of the Vilnius Group countries âÀ“ Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia, fully associate ourselves with the North Atlantic Council's Statement "NATO's Response to Terrorism". We reiterate our strong condemnation of the barbaric acts of terrorism committed against the United States. We consider these acts to be an attack on us all. Our response to terrorism is strong, comprehensive, resolute and persistent. Every single country of the Vilnius Group contributes to the fight against terrorism together with the other members of the international coalition. The scourge of terrorism, new challenges and emerging asymmetric threats demand the adoption of a new dynamic agenda, which is being developed in various international fora, including the EAPC. We reiterate our full adherence to international documents addressing the fight against terrorism, and our commitment to relevant decisions of the North Atlantic Council. We reaffirm the commitment to conduct our foreign and security policies in accordance with the principles of the Washington Treaty. URL: http://www.nato.int/docu/speech/2001/s011207u.htm
FOR MORE INFORMATION
CONTACT INFORMATION
Latvia's Liaison Office with NATO Headquarters in Brussels
USEFUL LINKS
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia: http://www.am.gov.lv/en/?id=4445 Combating international terrorism âÀ“ Latvia's activities: http://www.am.gov.lv/en/?id=4487 Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Latvia: http://www.mod.lv/ Latvian Transatlantic Organisation (LATO): http://www.lato.lv/ Information on NATO enlargement issues: http://expandnato.org/ NATO Enlargement Daily Brief: http://www.expandnato.org/nedb.html |
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