June 13, 2022
The information was prepared by Sandris Sabajevs, the Prime Minister’s Press Secretary
Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš, meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in Madrid, Spain, on Monday 13 June, emphasized the importance of a strong NATO Eastern flank for the security of a common Europe. During the meeting, K. Kariņš also thanked Spain for its contribution to strengthening Latvia’s defense capabilities.
“Today, we discussed with the Spanish Prime Minister the strengthening of the presence of NATO forces in the Baltic States, including Latvia, in order to deter Russia from military aggression against us and our allies. It should be emphasized that Spain’s contribution to our security is significant, as it has decided not only to send additional troops to Latvia, but also to take care of the missing air defense capabilities for our country. Our long-standing work with NATO partners pays off. It is important that we continue to invest in strengthening defense capabilities – we have decided to increase funding for defense to 2.5% of GDP over the next three years, ”said K. Kariņš.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister discussed with the Spanish Prime Minister the security situation in Europe in connection with the war in Russia in Ukraine and the need to continue providing support to Ukraine, including ensuring the continuity of arms transfers.
According to the Prime Minister, a strong NATO Eastern flank will strengthen Europe’s common security, and therefore called for support at the forthcoming NATO summit in Madrid at the end of June to support decisions to permanently strengthen the Allied presence in the Baltic States.
This was the third bilateral meeting between the Prime Minister and the Spanish Prime Minister in the last year. Spain is one of the members of the NATO Expanded Battlegroup in Latvia and, in response to the need to strengthen the region’s defense capabilities following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, has sent additional troops to Latvia and decided to deploy an anti-aircraft missile battery in Latvia. In total, 500 Spanish soldiers are currently serving in the NATO Expanded Battlegroup in Latvia.
During his working visit to Madrid, the Prime Minister visited the Technology and Digital Training Center of Telefonica, Spain’s largest telecommunications company. During the visit, the Prime Minister discussed with the company’s management the strengthening of co-operation between Latvian and Spanish companies in the field of information and defense technologies.
In Madrid, the Prime Minister also gave an interview to Spain’s largest newspaper, El País, and visited the Latvian Embassy in Spain, meeting with its staff and Ambassador Māris Klišāns.
For more information:
Sandris Sabajevs
Press Secretary to the Prime Minister
Tel.: 67082865,
mob. tel.: 22087726
E-pasts: [email protected]
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