Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins: Governments of Northern European countries should co-operate closer [26 Oct 2009]

On October 24, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins, taking part at a panel discussion "Providing Strategic Reassurance in Northern Europe" during the Riga Conference 2009, accentuated the threats on which the region has to focus, including financial crisis, energy security, terrorism and cyberprotection.

When speaking about the global economic crisis and its impact on the region, the Foreign Minister stressed the need for closer co-operation among the countries in Northern Europe, in particular, among governments and institutions supervising financial markets. "Given the fact that Baltic and Nordic economies taken together rank ninth in the world, we must pay attention to the issue of promoting the involvement of Baltic and Nordic countries in the global financial institutions among decision makers, including major industrial powers G20," Mr Riekstins indicated. The Foreign Minister also noted that some of the Nordic countries were not members of the European Union, some do not have NATO membership, and some do not belong to the euro area, which does not allow the region to be fully represented and involved in decision-making.

Minister Riekstins further accentuated the significance of energy supply diversification. The Foreign Minister of Latvia also noted that it was important to establish an integrated Baltic energy market and to develop a common EU energy policy. Besides, Mr Riekstins highlighted the key role of renewable energy resources.

In relation to NATO security for Northern Europe, Minister Riekstins spoke about the new Strategic Concept and the priorities to be included. The Minister also underscored the need to further enhance NATO visibility in the region by a continued airspace monitoring which was a significant security demonstration for the community.

Other participants the discussion panel "Providing Strategic Reassurance in Northern Europe" were Mr. Urmas Paet, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, Mr. Jean Asselborn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration of Luxembourg, Dr. Ronald D. Asmus, Executive Director of the German Marshall Fund's US Transatlantic Center in Brussels, and Dr. Robert Dalsjo, Senior Analyst at Swedish Defence Research Agency.

The Riga Conference 2009 entitled "Economic Recovery in a Changing Security Environment: Transatlantic Agenda 2010" took place on 23-24 October in Mazā Ģilde (the Small Guild). The event brought together high level politicians, experts and media people to discuss the effects of the economic decline on security in separate countries and in the region. Particular attention was devoted to the transatlantic space, focusing on Northern Europe as well as engaging in a debate on the new security challenges in the Black Sea region. 

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