Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins and German Defence Minister highlight significance of new NATO Strategic Concept

On 10 June, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maris Riekstins, met with the Federal Minister of Defence of Germany, Dr. Franz Josef Jung.

During their meeting, the ministers reviewed the process of development of a new Strategic Concept for NATO. The ministers shared the opinion that the majority of fundamentals in the current NATO Strategic Concept are still valid and can be transferred to the new document. Foreign Minister Riekstins accentuated that it is vital for the Strategic Concept to reflect challenges faced by the Alliance in the 21^st century.

Mr Riekstins expressed gratitude for Germany's contribution to date to the airspace patrolling mission in the Baltic states. The minister emphasised that NATO's airspace patrolling policy is a powerful evidence of the indivisibility of Allied security. Besides, the airspace patrolling mission is a clear and tangible proof of NATO presence that in its turn increases public support to NATO membership.

During the discussion, attention was devoted to the experience of NATO and EU operations, and to the development of a closer co-operation, in particular for the operations in Kosovo and Afghanistan. While reviewing the Afghanistan issue, the ministers agreed that it is vital to implement an integrated and comprehensive policy combining both military and civil resources. In addition, Minister Riekstins brought into focus the regional context, directing attention to the need for the involvement of Central Asian countries, in view of their close ties with Afghanistan and their understanding of the situation in the country.

The ministers exchanged opinions on the development of NATO partnership relations and the enlargement policy. Minister Riekstins noted that the open door policy implemented by NATO so far is to be rated as successful. The enlargement has strengthened security and stability in the Euro–Atlantic region as a whole. At the same time, the minister underlined that NATO membership is related to certain criteria to be met by every candidate country.

As part of his visit, Dr. Franz Josef Jung met with President Valdis Zatlers and Defence Minister Imants Liegis.

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