Current LatviaTHEME IN FOCUS: NATO No. 27, 4 November 2002 EVENTS
DOCUMENTS
STATEMENTS
FOR MORE INFORMATION
EVENTSNATO PA recommends inviting seven new members to the Alliance, including Latvia Leaders of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly have committed themselves to NATO enlargement and its centrality to NATO's future and Europe's stability. The leaders of the Assembly's 19 member delegations have called on NATO to invite seven nations - Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia - to join the Alliance at the NATO Prague Summit in November. The Declaration on NATO Transformation agreed by the Standing Committee of the Assembly on 6 October 2002, argues that the seven countries have proved their progress towards NATO membership by pushing through radical reforms at home, supporting NATO operations in the Balkans, and contributing to the fight against terrorism. "There is a growing consensus on both sides of the Atlantic that enlargement is key to the Alliance's future," said NATO PA President Rafael Estrella. "The whole security landscape has qualitatively changed, and NATO's response to new challenges will be a central focus at the Prague Summit. The importance of some issues such as NATO enlargement, the fight against terrorism, the closer co-operation with Russia, and the need to maintain peace and security in the Balkans are central to security and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area. NATO must make further profound changes to ensure that it can meet the security challenges of the 21st century, in particular after 11 September". "Our Declaration on NATO Transformation represents the collective parliamentary view on how NATO should meet those challenges", said Mr Estrella. NATO Parliamentary Assembly http://www.nato-pa.int (07.10.2002) NATO Parliamentary Assembly, press release of 7 October 2002 "NATO Enlargement Key Priority for Europe's Stability - Estrella": http://www.nato-pa.int/default.asp?shortcut=262
US Congress expresses support for accession of Baltic States to NATO On 7 October 2002, the US House of Representatives approved resolution HCONRES 116, which recommends that the three Baltic States - Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania - be invited to join NATO as early as this year. The resolution evaluates highly political and economic developments in the Baltic States and affirms that the three states, on becoming members of NATO, will be capable of making a real contribution to the Alliance. The resolution acknowledges that membership of the Baltic States in NATO will promote stability in the Baltic region and in Europe as a whole. In another resolution - HRES 468 - also adopted by the House of Representatives on 7 October, support is expressed for a wide NATO enlargement during the Prague Summit in November of this year. The resolution was put forward on behalf of the US House of Representatives Committee on International Relations Sub-Committee on Europe by its Chairman, Elton Gallegly, who visited Riga this August, and it mentions that the NATO candidate countries - Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia - have attained sufficient criteria for NATO membership through participation in the MAP process. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia applauds the resolutions adopted by the US Congress on 7 October, in which support is expressed for the entry of the Baltic States into NATO. These resolutions bear witness to the support of US legislators - both Republican and Democrat - for the policy of the Bush Administration on NATO enlargement. The resolutions attest to the achievements of the Baltic States in their progress towards NATO and offer hope for the successful ratification of decisions on NATO enlargement by the US Congress. MFA (08.10.2002) Full text of the resolution HCONRES 116: http://www.usembassy.lv/EN/2cols/hcr116
Latvia's Ambassador to NATO submits Latvia's NATO Membership Action Plan for 2003 On 25 September 2002 Latvia's Ambassador to NATO, Imants Liegis submitted Latvia's NATO Membership Action Plan (MAP) for 2003 to Daniel Speckhard, NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General in Brussels. Mr Speckhard gave a positive evaluation of Latvia's MAP. Mr Liegis and Mr Speckhard discussed the procedure for joining the Alliance that would be followed by the candidate states receiving an invitation to join NATO in Prague. Mr Speckhard suggested that, in the event that the decisions made in Prague regarding Latvia are positive, accession negotiations could take place between December 2002 and January 2003. On 10 September, the Cabinet of Ministers confirmed Latvia's Membership Action Plan for 2003. The Plan will play an important part in the assessment of Latvia's preparedness for NATO membership due to take place at the Prague Summit, as well as afterwards, in the event of it being invited to join the Alliance. The Membership Action Plan outlines Latvia's preparations for NATO membership and the progress achieved since the submission of the previous MAP. The Plan has been designed to take into account the fact that Latvia is already giving consideration to co-operation models after the Prague Summit, and is seeking the most efficient ways to contribute to the capabilities of the Alliance. The information provided in the political and economic chapter summarises the actions taken by the government and the Parliament of Latvia to ensure that the pace and quality of reforms continue even after the Prague Summit. The amended Law on Financing Defence stipulates that the defence budget will be maintained at the level of 2% of GDP until the year 2008. Latvia's solid economic performance provides a firm basis for such a decision. MFA (25.09.2002) MFA press release of 10 September 2002 "The government of Latvia confirms its NATO Membership Action Plan for 2003": http://www.am.gov.lv/en/?id=2724
Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence pass on Latvia's experience of NATO integration to Georgia From 23 to 25 October 2002 a delegation from Latvia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defence was on a visit to Tbilisi. The visit was organised in response to an invitation from Georgia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in co-operation with the Head of the International Security Advisory Board (ISAB), General Johnson. The goal of the visit was to help Georgia work out a National Programme for integration into NATO. As part of the visit, meetings were held between representatives of Foreign and Defence Ministries, and representatives of other institutions involved in NATO integration. The delegation met with the Georgian Inter-institutional Commission, which, instructed by the National Security Board, is for the first time working on a National Programme that would allow Georgia to prepare for NATO membership. At the meeting, participants discussed the contents of the Georgian National Programme and the organisational work needed for Georgia's integration into NATO. Since the Baltic States have accumulated successful experience in these areas, Georgia valued highly the recommendations of Latvia's representatives and ISAB members from the Baltic States. Meeting with the delegation, Georgia's Foreign Minister confirmed Georgia's determination to intensify activities geared towards creation of conditions appropriate for its future membership of NATO. Both sides agreed to continue co-operation in matters concerning NATO integration. MFA (24.10.2002)
Latvian Parliament approves Latvia's accession to the Open Skies Treaty On 31 October 2002, the Parliament of Latvia approved the law on Latvia's accession to the Open Skies Treaty, signed on 24 March 1992, which stipulates reciprocal aerial surveillance overflights over the territories of the States Parties to the Treaty, to gather information about their armed forces, military objects and activities. The Treaty is designed to promote transparency of arms control, thus enhancing openness and confidence among the States Parties. The Open Skies Treaty stipulates that each State Party is allocated one or more active quotas for observation flights over the territory of another State Party. The States Parties also receive passive quotas, i.e. they are obliged to ensure flights over their own territory, to host inspections, to participate in flights and follow whether they are conducted in accordance with the plan as previously developed. In addition, the active quota of a State Party may not exceed its passive quota. Co-operation between the Latvian National Armed Forces and arms control units of the OSCE member states within the framework of the Open Skies Treaty commenced in 1999 when USA, Germany, United Kingdom and the Baltic States conducted a trial observation flight over the Baltic States. In July 2001, the second mission took place under the auspices of the Latvian Air Forces. The Latvian National Armed Forces have two certified Open Skies Treaty specialists who can ensure that the procedure of observation flights corresponds to the requirements of the Treaty. By joining the Open Skies Treaty, Latvia takes part in enhancing arms control measures in Europe, thus contributing to Latvian and European common security. MFA (31.10.2002) For more information: http://www.am.gov.lv/en/?id=4460
International minesweeping operation "Open Spirit 2002" considered a success The international minesweeping operation "Open Spirit 2002" was a success, Baltic Sea region naval commanders agreed during their meeting on 29 October 2002. "Open Spirit" was a successful operation despite complicated weather conditions, the Latvian Navy Commander, Captain Ilmars Lesinskis told reporters after the meeting. According to Lesinskis, the commanders of the Baltic Sea region's navies discussed promotion of co-operation, measures for controlling maritime pollution, and the possibility of future operations for the elimination of explosives. During the "Open Spirit 2002" operation, 63 explosive devices were found in the Gulf of Riga between 17 and 28 October. 21 vessels from 11 countries - Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Germany, Poland, Denmark, Sweden, United Kingdom, France, Netherlands and Norway - participated in the training. Minesweepers M-01 "Viesturs" and M-03 "Namejs" represented Latvia at the training. LETA http://www.leta2000.com/ (29.10.2002)
LATO offers educational seminars for teachers on "Latvia's Integration in NATO" The Latvian Transatlantic Organisation (LATO), in co-operation with the Ministry of Education and Science and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is organising educational seminars for primary and secondary school teachers - "Latvia's Integration in NATO". The project is financially supported by the government of Norway. The goal of the project is to educate and inform teachers in Latvia on NATO and its further development, as well as on NATO enlargement and the role of Latvia as a future NATO member state. The seminars will be organised in the cities of Rezekne (02.10.2002), Jelgava (18.10.2002), Riga (04.11.2002), Ventspils (08.11.2002), Daugavpils (14.11.2002), and Jekabpils (16.11.2002), thereby covering all of Latvia's regions. LATO http://www.lato.lv (24.09.2002) LATO press release of 12 July 2002 "Government of Norway supports Latvian Transatlantic Organisation (LATO)": http://www.lato.lv/eng/notikumi/index.php?id=22
Children from all regions of Latvia express their opinion on "A Safer World" On 22 October 2002, the awards ceremony for national round winners of the international children's competition "A Safer World" and the opening of an exhibition of the entries were held at the Riga Pupils' Palace. Altogether 400 works by pupils from different schools were submitted, and 250 out of these are exhibited. The works reflect the notion of security and illustrate how they see it. At the opening of the exhibition, Prime Minister Andris Berzins thanked the children of Latvia for such a big response to the competition, stressing that all of us perceive the notion of a "safer world" differently, and that it was nice to find that some associate it with family, others with nature or a beloved pet. The Prime Minister concluded by wishing the children good luck in the International Children's Drawing Competition in Prague, scheduled to take place on 21 - 22 November 2002. The winning entries in the competition (about 30 in total) will be sent on to Prague, where they will represent Latvia in the International Children's Drawing Competition "A Safer World". The competition will take place within the framework of the Prague Summit, and the best works from the NATO aspirant countries will be exhibited at the Prague Congress Centre, to be afterwards published in the form of postcards and presented to delegates and the press at the NATO Summit. MFA (23.10.2002) MFA, press release of 23 October 2002 "Children from all regions of Latvia express their opinion on "A Safer World": http://www.am.gov.lv/en/?id=2759
DOCUMENTSConcurrent Resolution Recommending the Integration of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), 107th Congress, 1st Session, H. Con. Res.116, in the House of Representatives Whereas the Baltic countries of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia are undergoing a historic process of democratic and free market transformation after emerging from decades of brutal Soviet occupation; Whereas each of these Baltic countries has conducted peaceful transfers of political power - in Lithuania since 1990 and in Latvia and Estonia since 1991; Whereas each of these Baltic countries has been exemplary and consistent in its respect for human rights and civil liberties; Whereas the governments of these Baltic countries have made consistent progress toward establishing civilian control of their militaries through active participation in the Partnership for Peace program and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) peace support operations; Whereas Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia are participating in the NATO-led multinational military force in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo; Whereas Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia are consistently increasing their defense budget allocations and have adopted laws providing that such allocations for defense will be at least 2 percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) by 2002 for Lithuania and Estonia and by 2003 for Latvia; Whereas each of these Baltic countries has clearly demonstrated its ability to operate with the military forces of NATO nations and under NATO standards; Whereas former Secretary of Defense Perry stipulated five generalized standards for entrance into NATO: support for democracy, including toleration of ethnic diversity and respect for human rights; building a free market economy; civilian control of the military; promotion of good neighborly relations; and development of military interoperability with NATO; Whereas each of these Baltic countries has satisfied these standards for entrance into NATO; and Whereas NATO will consider at its 2002 summit meeting in Prague the further enlargement of its alliance: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that - 1. Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia are to be commended for their progress toward political and economic liberty and meeting the guidelines for prospective members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) set out in chapter 5 of the September 1995 Study on NATO Enlargement; 2. Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia would make an outstanding contribution toward furthering the goals of NATO should they become members; 3. extension of full NATO membership to these Baltic countries would contribute to stability, freedom, and peace in the Baltic region and Europe as a whole; and 4. with complete satisfaction of NATO guidelines and criteria for membership, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia should be invited in 2002 to become full members of NATO. URL: http://www.usembassy.lv/EN/2cols/hcr116
Latvia's Annual National Program 2003, Executive Summary Latvia's Annual National Program (ANP) 2003 has been designed to reflect Latvia's readiness to undertake responsibilities of NATO Ally once invited to join the Organisation, its continuous preparations for NATO membership and specific plans in this respect for the year 2003. The document has been structured in such a way as to reflect progress and achievements since the previous program was submitted to NATO. It focuses on the fact that Latvia is even now considering co-operation models for after the Prague Summit, and looking for the most effective ways to contribute to the Alliance's capabilities. The ANP traditionally consists of six chapters: (1) political/economic issues, (2) defence/military issues, (3) resource issues, (4) security issues, (5) legal issues and (6) implementation of the Annual National Program. Latvia's Annual National Program 2003 is based on the experience gained during previous programs and taking into account NATO's Progress Reports. Allied countries have provided valuable comments during the NATO-Latvia meetings in Brussels and bilateral political-military consultations. Latvia's Annual National Program 2003, Executive Summary: http://www.am.gov.lv/en/?id=4492
STATEMENTS"Re-defining Europe: A Latvian Perspective", address by Vaira Vike-Freiberga, President of the Republic of Latvia, at the University of Zurich, 31 October 2002 (extracts) "A majority of Europeans have decided to unite their efforts within the framework of two institutions, the European Union and the NATO Alliance. Latvia hopes to receive official invitations to join these organisations by the end of this year. For Latvia, accession to the EU and NATO would signal its true return to the European family of free and prosperous nations, and the end to the abhorrent division of our continent into two opposing camps, which endured for so many long decades." "Indubitably, one of the most pressing challenges for all sovereign nations is that of security. Most European countries, including the aspirant nations of Central and Eastern Europe, have chosen to cooperate in this field within the framework of the NATO Alliance, and to do so in close partnership with the United States and Canada. This transatlantic partnership has proven extremely successful over the years, and few will dispute that Europe's neutral and non-aligned countries, including Switzerland, Austria, Sweden and Finland, have also benefited indirectly from the American military presence in Europe. While NATO was initially created to deal with the threat of a Soviet military invasion, it is now working to address the latest security challenges, which include conflict prevention and peacekeeping in Europe's peripheral areas, as well as the dismantling of terrorist networks worldwide. These challenges require a collective international response, to which Latvia has already been contributing for several years, in partnership with its Baltic neighbours. Latvia looks forward to increased cooperation with Russia through the NATO-Russia Council, and supports the creation of a European Defence Force that could operate both within and without of the NATO framework." Full text of the address: http://www.am.gov.lv/en/?id=3503
"The Baltic Sea Region: A Model of Successful Partnership", opening address by Vaira Vike-Freiberga, President of the Republic of Latvia, at the 4th Annual Baltic Development Forum Summit, Copenhagen, 13 - 15 October 2002 (extract) "For the people and nations of Central and Eastern Europe, the invitation to join the EU, together with the expected decision this November in Prague to expand the NATO Alliance, will signify their genuine return to the European family of free and democratic nations. This dual enlargement of the EU and NATO will have an enormous impact on the Baltic Sea Region. It will become the last step in erasing once and for all the sequels of the Second World War. The Baltic Sea, which for decades had served as a barrier between the East and the West of Europe, will now become a gateway of understanding and cooperation. From the military standpoint, the accession of the three Baltic States and Poland to the EU and NATO will vastly increase Europe's area of security and stability. It will also produce tangible economic benefits by promoting an even more favourable financial and investment environment in the Baltic Sea Region, just as it did in Central Europe following the accession of Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic to NATO in 1999. The incorporation of the Baltic States and Poland into the EU's unified economic space, along with the availability of additional EU development funds, will serve to advance business activity and foster the further economic development of the entire Baltic Sea Region. It will also serve to the benefit of other countries that border the EU and NATO member states, including Russia, who have everything to gain from the presence of stable, secure and prosperous nations on their western borders." Full text of the opening address: http://www.am.gov.lv/en/?id=3502
Opening remarks by Indulis Berzins, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia, at the LATO conference "Integration of Society and Latvia's Security in the Future", Riga, 27 September 2002 (extract) "NATO membership will increase Latvia's opportunities to influence security in our region, in Europe as a whole, yet it will also raise the responsibility of Latvia for the general security climate on the continent. Latvia has attended this school of responsibility, at least its first grade, since 1996 when we began to participate in the NATO-led operations in the Balkans. Today, about 100 Latvian soldiers and officers serve in Bosnia, in SFOR. Our military medics and military police participate in the KFOR operation in Kosovo. In June this contingent was reinforced with an explosive ordnance disposal team. Military medics, military police and mine clearance specialists are assets that are being deliberately developed for participation in multinational operations. Latvia has already found niches that allow a small country to play a useful part in Alliance operations." Full text of the opening remarks: http://www.am.gov.lv/en/?id=3627
FOR MORE INFORMATIONPublications on the Riga Summit of NATO aspirant countries On 30 September 2002 Latvia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Indulis Berzins, acquainted students, teaching staff from Latvian institutions of higher learning and media representatives with new publications issued by the Foreign Ministry of Latvia: a photo album of the Summit of the NATO Aspirant Countries "Riga 2002: The Bridge to Prague" and a compilation of discussions from the NGO forum "Post-Prague Vision of the Enlarged NATO - Missions, Relationships and Challenges" in Latvian and English. In his remarks, Minister Berzins noted that "Latvia's accession to NATO is not an end in itself, but an instrument for guaranteeing a secure future, which also enables Latvia to participate in the development of security." It was noted that the launch of the publications symbolically concludes the Riga Summit stage and introduces a new one - that of the Prague Summit. Thanks were expressed to the Ministry of Defence, the Riga City Council, units of the Ministry of Interior, Latvian Television, and LATO for participation in the organisation of the Riga Summit. MFA (30.09.2002) MFA publication "Summit of the NATO Aspirant Countries" (.PDF file 3.5 Mb): http://www.am.gov.lv/pic/Books/3%20buklets.pdf
Exhibition "The way to security and independence. Latvia - Land. Nation. State." in Prague On 10 October 2002, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Edgars Rinkevics opened an exhibition "The way to security and independence. Latvia - Land. Nation. State." at the National Museum of the Czech Republic in Prague, organised in honour of the NATO Summit, due to take place in Prague from 21 to 22 November. The exhibition, prepared by Latvia's War Museum and Latvia's Museum of History with support from the Latvian Ministry of Defence, the Latvian Embassy in the Czech Republic and the Czech National Museum, consists of four parts. The first section, "Land", relates the story of Latvia as a territory, whose advantageous geopolitical position has over the centuries caused other countries to covet it. The second section, "Nation", provides information on the Latvian people and their rich cultural heritage. The third section, "State", tells of the history of the genesis of the Latvian State, as well as of the loss of independence under Soviet and Nazi occupations, the regaining of independence in the early 1990s and Latvia's return to the community of European nations. Finally, the fourth section reveals a shared sense of community between the Latvian and Czech people, rooted in their similar historical destinies. The exhibition is displayed in the Pantheon Hall of the National Museum of the Czech Republic (Wenceslas Square 68, Prague). It can be viewed every day from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.. The exhibition will be on display until 5 January 2003. Ministry of Defence http://www.mod.gov.lv (10.10.02)
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