Madrid, June 29, LETA. The decision on the construction of a new landfill in Latvia will be made by this government, Minister of Defense Artis Pabriks (AP), who participated in the NATO summit in Madrid today, emphasized to LETA.
Speaking about when the Ministry of Defense could go to the government with a request for funds for this purpose, the Minister emphasized that the government is aware of this intention and work is underway to prepare documentation, as the construction of the landfill affects a specific area, property and planning. as soon as possible.
Pabriks pointed out that the new government is continuing to work on this issue, as the establishment of a landfill as a host nation could take more than a year.
Asked about the approximate cost of building such a landfill, the Minister of Defense explained that he did not yet have a specific amount at his disposal, as the costs included, for example, the takeover of property and infrastructure costs.
“I don’t have such figures right now, because it’s not a one-year budget issue, but several years ago. We also don’t know what the impact of inflation will be, so I can’t give such an exact answer yet,” the defense minister said.
Speaking about whether increasing the combat capabilities to the size of the brigade is related to Latvia’s ability to create the necessary infrastructure as soon as possible, Pabriks emphasized that if necessary, NATO will have to do without infrastructure.
He reminded that after 2014, when units of Canada and other allies arrived in Latvia, many of them continued to live in tents, so “barracks are not needed to fight in critical conditions”. The Minister of Defense pointed out that Latvia sees this presence as long-term and permanent, so it is necessary to work on it, but the expansion of combat capabilities is already taking place.
“When it comes to when the last barracks and warehouses will be built, it will take time, of course, but that doesn’t mean we haven’t set any plans for the future. I can say that work on the NATO Madrid Summit is over, but “We are already working on the next plans and tasks in the days of the summit,” said Pabriks.
LETA has already written that Pabriks and the Minister of Defense of Canada Anita Ananda have signed a declaration on the strengthening and further development of NATO’s expanded presence in Latvia, raising it to the brigade level, in accordance with the decisions taken at the NATO summit in Madrid.
According to the declaration, Canada undertakes to continue to lead the battle group for NATO’s expanded presence in Latvia, as well as to co-finance with NATO members the necessary infrastructure to further strengthen the Alliance’s deterrence and defense capabilities.
After the summit, Latvia, together with its allies, will begin the planning process to establish a full-fledged multinational brigade as soon as possible.
LETA has already written that an agreement has been reached at the NATO summit to increase the number of battle groups to the brigade level.
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