There are no signs of a reduction in the US presence in Latvia, stated Foreign Minister Baiba Braže, who participated in a joint meeting of the parliamentary foreign affairs committees on Tuesday. At the meeting, the Foreign Minister presented the annual report on the work done and planned.
Baiba Braže emphasized that relations with American colleagues are good and thanked the deputies for their active transatlantic cooperation with the US, as well as for active inter-parliamentary cooperation between the Baltic states and the Nordic countries. The Foreign Minister highlighted the importance of parliamentary diplomacy and expressed confidence that this cooperation will continue next year.
Braže stated that no significant changes in priorities are planned for next year, and the previous focuses will remain - strengthening security and defense, deterrence capabilities, transatlantic unity, economic growth and prosperity, as well as public participation in foreign policy, working with the diaspora, and caring for our people. The minister plans to present a report to the Saeima in January, but discussions on its draft are ongoing.
Speaking about the work done, the Foreign Minister noted that this year's report particularly highlights cooperation with the United Kingdom. According to her, this focus has intensified due to military exercises, everyday cooperation in consultations on sanctions and their implementation, including issues related to the "shadow fleet" and Russia, support for Ukraine, as well as the Joint Response Forces.
The Foreign Minister noted that Latvia's participation in the UN Security Council is an achieved goal that provides the country with broader opportunities for participation, including interaction with the US and other council members, and also increases international interest in Latvia. The Foreign Minister pointed out that this interest is already being felt and will need to be taken into account in the coming two years.
According to Braže, a new section on technologies and innovations has been included in the report, which has seen significant work done by both embassies and the ministry's central office. Latvia still has much to do in this area, especially in transferring innovations to the business environment, which, although not a direct responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, should be one of the priority tasks.
The Foreign Minister also highlighted cooperation in the defense industry, which has been worked on by both embassies and the central office in collaboration with the Ministry of Defense.
The minister reported that next year the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will have 5.5 million euros less at its disposal than this year, which means a reduction in grants for cooperation for development purposes and other projects. According to her, this is unsatisfactory for experts, entrepreneurs, and organizations, but such is the reality.
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