NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe praises Latvia's achievements in the NATO integration process [28 Jun 2001]

On 28 June 2001 Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Indulis Berzins had a meeting with NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Joseph W. Ralston.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs acquainted the General with the course of implementation of the foreign policy goals of Latvia, as well as with Latvia's progress on the way to NATO. General Ralston praised Latvia's NATO Membership Action Plan and Latvia's achievements in the military sphere, especially noting increase of the defence budget and the fact that development of the personnel is one of the priorities of the Armed Forces of Latvia. The Supreme Allied Commander Europe expressed gratitude to Mr Berzins for Latvia's contribution to the peace operations in the Balkans.

The two officials discussed the process of further enlargement of NATO and agreed that, although the decision on this issue will be political one, the opinion and assessment by military officials on the preparedness of the candidate countries will also be important. Therefore Latvia has to keep the successful development track. Mr Berzins underscored the co-operation of the Baltic States in the NATO integration process, as well as their joint military projects, which are good examples of the ability to join forces for a common goal. The parties also talked over public support to Latvia's aspirations of becoming a member of NATO. Mr Berzins informed General Ralston on the forthcoming working meeting of the ministers of foreign affairs of the NATO candidate countries late this week in Tallinn to discuss the candidate countries' progress since the meeting in Vilnius last year.

(end of text)