US Ambassador to Latvia Christopher Todd Robinson strengthens bilateral ties and praises Cesis

US Ambassador to Latvia Christopher Todd Robinson (center) got acquainted with the editorial work of “Druva” and journalists. From the left: Jānis Gabrāns, Andra Gānge, from the right: Sarmīte Feldmane.

Christopher Todd Robinson has been the ambassador of the United States of America to Latvia since February. His experience in the diplomatic service is related to Eastern Europe, he also worked in Iraq, Nicaragua, Canada, the US mission in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna.

KTRobinsons admits that cooperation ties between Latvia and the USA are deep and continue to strengthen not only at the national level, but also among the residents, and when talking about his impressions in Cēsis, he is delighted with what he saw and says that he wants to visit here again and again.

– Having worked in Latvia for five months, you have accumulated impressions. Is it what you expected or something surprising that you didn’t expect?

– It is much more wonderful than I thought. I say this partly as a joke: when I started work, Latvia won hockey, then it was Christmas Day. And all this in my first five months in Latvia! Fantastic story. What will I do for the rest of my years if the bar is so high?!

But now more seriously. Latvia, of course, is much more, it is a NATO ally, a good cooperation partner, a friend. In the first months, I have been on regional visits, got to know a part of the country, met with almost all the ministers, I have seen the depth of our cooperation. Of course, we cooperate on security issues, but one of the reasons why I am in Cēsis is that we want to deepen economic ties, as well as cooperation on cultural issues, and Cēsis is a city with a deep cultural influence.

Last year we celebrated the centenary of diplomatic relations between the United States and Latvia. Our plan is to think about how we build the next hundred years so that both nations are much richer and safer. And after the first months of my work in Latvia, I must say that I am excited about the possibilities that I see.

– Starting to perform the duties of the ambassador in Latvia, you have also emphasized the strengthening of ties between the societies of the two countries. Can it be said that the people of Latvia and the USA have similar values?
– Yes, certainly. There is a lot in common, it is the commitment to respect the principles of democracy – freedom of speech, human rights -, to protect the institutions that we have built over many years. We always think of NATO as a military organization, but NATO works because we share common values. In June, I was at the “Lampa” festival, I really liked the discussion, which was about the most important values, starting with protection, human rights, including, for example, the question of how we treat the elderly.

It is important to talk about these values ​​and protect them. Because this is exactly what Russia is attacking, the Latvians know better than many others from their history. You clearly know what’s at stake in Ukraine right now, and in a way it’s even bigger than Ukraine, because it’s an attack on everything we believe in, so it’s important to maintain interpersonal relationships, human-to-human relationships. Russia wants to divide society and separate one from the other. Therefore, we are happy about all the cultural programs that have taken place in Cēsis with the participation of our embassy, ​​the residents of Cēsis region have participated in exchange programs. And, for example, what you (“Druvas” editorial staff) do every day is important – to ensure the availability of free information, protect it. This is the basis of our society, the basic values. And so I’m looking forward to the future that we’ll be able to continue that.

– I cannot but ask you about the consequences arising from the events of the last months in the Russian military sector, with the private military group “Wagner”, whose units are located in Belarus.
– I will repeat what President (USA) Biden said, that we are determined to protect every centimeter of NATO territory. The rotation of US military units continues in Latvia. I recently met with a US general whose subordinate soldiers are stationed here, he was excited about the cooperation with the Latvian forces, we continue to learn from each other. And the fact that we are here is already a signal to Moscow that no aggression will be tolerated.
I can only praise the government of Latvia, which has already invested so much in the defense of the country. Soon, Latvia is going to buy US defense systems, this will further deepen the strong cooperation in the military field – training, defense.

Speaking of the Wagner group, I think it is still too early to conclude what we can read from the fact that some part is in Belarus. But the USA has directed additional funds for the protection of Latvia’s borders, and we will continue cooperation in this direction. I have also been and got acquainted with the situation on the Latvian border. I am sure that cooperation and the decisions we will make together are the basis for Latvia to be safe.

– You have worked as a diplomat in Russia, Belarus. Your thoughts – could Russia and Belarus ever become a cooperation partner from a threatening, dangerous neighbor?
– Very difficult to engage in hypotheticals. What we have seen with regard to Russia – Russia has violated absolutely all the conditions recorded in the documents, the agreements it has ever signed. What does it do to its people? Suppresses. Destroys local businesses. It is a security mafia state. I don’t think one person does it. And this is likely to be a challenge we will have to face for at least another generation. These are dangers and threats that Latvia itself understands very well. Therefore, we must continue to cooperate. And I am very confident about this cooperation.

– Traditionally, when starting work in Latvia, ambassadors choose to visit the big cities, you have already told why you chose Cēsis. What are the impressions?
– The city is very beautiful. During the conversation with the mayor, I joked that I would like an embassy here. The city is wonderful and inclusive. I was very happy to hear how open-hearted the residents were to receive the refugees from the Ukrainian war. In the first, most terrible time, there were around 700, now 400 Ukrainians. The way they were welcomed says a lot about the city, the region, its culture, and its inhabitants.

It is a great pleasure for me to come here to visit. I am interested in history. The role that Cēsis played in connection with the ancient castle, with the history of the Latvian flag, all of this together is fascinating. But I want to emphasize that I see Cēsis as a city with a future, many companies have moved here, you have a great cultural center. It shows all the possibilities that Latvia has in a certain place.

I will return to Cēsis already during the city festival (the conversation took place on July 23 – aust.), soon my mother and sister will come to visit, I will also bring them to Cēsis, because it is wonderful here.

2023-08-09 00:00:20
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