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Latvia's perspective on international peace, security and development
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is a great pleasure for me to address such a distinguished audience at Chatham House, which for decades has been known as one of the world's leading organisations for the analysis of international issues. It is also a pleasure and an honour for me to be here in London as a special guest of Her Majesty's Government.
Looking back at the history of British and Latvian bilateral relations, I am proud to note that the United Kingdom was the first country to recognize the de facto independence of Latvia. This occurred on November 11, 1918, one week before the official proclamation of the Republic of Latvia. In the spring of 1919, when the Russian Bolsheviks had occupied most of Latvia's territory, the steamer Saratov - which was under the protection of British warships in Latvia's port city of Liepāja - became a sanctuary and working site for the Latvian provisional government. The participation of British military forces in Latvian liberation battles in 1919, during which a number of British soldiers were also killed, generated a very favourable attitude towards the UK in Latvia during the interwar period. Now, after an interruption that lasted half a century, Latvia and the United Kingdom are once again partners and allies. Both of our countries are working closely together as members of the European Union and the NATO Alliance to create a peaceful and stable world in the 21st century.
In today's era of globalization, a country's national interests do not end at its borders, or even its immediate neighbourhood. This is true with regard to security as much as in the economic domain. Today the security of millions of people all around the world is subject to the threats posed by terrorism and extremism. Terrorism and political radicalism are frequently fuelled by seemingly far - away conflicts. In many cases, they are further abetted by economic hardship, as well as by undemocratic and poorly run state administrations.
The world's democracies can hope to counter international terrorism only through close international cooperation, and that is why the Transatlantic partnership is so important for Latvia and for the United Kingdom. Both of our countries see the future of Europe as closely linked with that of the United States and Canada. North Americans share the same values and ideals that we do. We share a firm belief in freedom, democracy, the respect for human rights and the rule of law. Although there are times when we may disagree on a number of specific issues, we must not let any differences in opinion detract us from our overall goal of ensuring global security. This requires close cooperation in uncovering and dismantling terrorist networks, and ultimately, of dealing with the root causes of terrorism.
We need to build stronger coalitions with emerging and developing democracies, so as to avoid the emergence of new generations of terrorists whose hatred and self-hatred is fuelled by a deep sense of injustice.
Together with the United Kingdom and other allies, Latvia has deployed peacekeepers to help provide stability in Afghanistan, in Iraq and in the Balkans. The ultimate goal of all these efforts is to establish genuine democracies and basic economic development in these troubled regions. This, in turn, should contribute to stemming the rise of extremism and terrorism.
It is essential, however, for international involvement to continue after armed hostilities finally cease. This is where the newly created Peace Building Committee of the UN should play an important role. In East Timor, for example, conflict recently reignited in part because the international community withdrew prematurely. In this regard, the EU has its own role to play as a growing crisis manager and must continue strengthening its capacity to respond to crises. NATO has also begun paying more attention to the stabilisation and reconstruction phases of its missions abroad. Both organisations need to establish the means for better coordinating their mediation and crisis resolution efforts.
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
In order to ensure the security of its member states and adapt to the changing threats of our era, NATO will have to continue its military transformation, which will be the principal issue for this year's NATO Summit in Riga. I believe that NATO should also increase its level of cooperation in joint peacekeeping efforts with other countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea. These countries share our values and have similar goals. They have also shown their capacity for effective intervention. We would all gain by working more closely together.
At the same time, NATO should continue encouraging Europe's new democracies. Latvia is devoting concerted efforts to assist Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova in particular. We will support offering NATO's MAP to Ukraine by the Riga Summit or soon after, on the condition that real progress continues to be made in that country. We also support Georgia's endeavours to establish a closer relationship with the alliance.
Latvia also hopes that Europe can establish a pragmatic working relationship with Russia, which has an important role to play in the world's security architecture. Russia's active participation is essential for countering international terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. At the same time, we must not shy away from a constructive dialogue with Russia even on the most sensitive issues, including the consistent adherence to democratic principles and the rule of law.
Ever since Latvia regained its independence in 1991, the establishment of good neighbourly relations with Russia has remained on our agenda. Over the past fifteen years, hopeful periods have kept alternating with less encouraging ones. We have managed to resolve a number of very difficult issues, such as the withdrawal of Russian troops from our territory, but we still need to resolve a number of others - such as the conclusion of a border agreement. Lately, political dialogue on the highest level has resumed between our two countries. Recently Latvia's Prime Minister met Russia's President and Prime Minister, following a historic visit by the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church to Latvia this spring. We hope that these meetings will provide a further impetus for improving our relations.
Latvia would like to see more coordination on foreign policy issues in the EU, which is proving to be a very difficult task in an organisation that has 25 members. Nevertheless, I hope that eventually the EU will be able to realize a more coherent Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). As far as it is possible, Europe needs to maintain a single voice in its dialogue with Russia, China and other countries.
The EU is closely involved in the promotion of democratic and economic reforms in its neighbouring countries through the European Neighbourhood Policy. This policy is a priority for Latvia as well as for a number of other countries. Latvia also favours a more pro - active policy by the EU for achieving the settlement of frozen conflicts in the EU's vicinity, including the issue of Transdnestria in Moldova and South Ossetia in Georgia. Needles to say, the EU must do all it can to foster progress towards democracy in Belarus and look for ways to promote the growth of civil society in that country.
The prospect of the EU's continuedenlargement has certainly helped to foster reforms in the EU's candidate countries. I am pleased that Romania and Bulgaria will join the EU soon and that accession negations have begun with Croatia and Turkey. However, just as with the expansion of NATO, any further EU enlargement must be contingent on the individual performance of each candidate state. While the absorption capacity of the EU is an important factor to consider in the admission of any new members, we cannot hold the EU's aspirant countries hostage to the internal developments of the EU.
For Latvia, as well as for rest of the EU, energy securityis of high strategic importance. By launching a common energy policy, the EU has taken the first steps to ensure the security of its energy supplies. Yet the EU's energy policy still requires a more coordinated position toward third countries, as well as additional measures for increasing our energy efficiency, augmenting our reserves for crisis situations and developing alternative energy resources. At the moment, Latvia lacks the resources to build large reserves for oil, but it has huge underground gas storage capacities that are capable of serving the energy needs of several EU countries.
The EU's member states also need to establish a common EU policy on migration and should agree on the general principles for the admission of immigrants. At the same time, each member state should remain free to decide on the number of immigrants it will admit. If the EU is to consolidate a safe and secure external border, then strengthening the administrative capacity of the EU's neighbouring countries should prove to everyone's benefit in the fight against illegal migration, organized crime and terrorism. Latvia, along with most of the EU's member states, does not support the creation of a global mechanism for coordinating migration activities. However, we do recognize the importance of the forthcoming UN High Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development. It is vital to improve coordination between the various agencies and international organizations that deal with migration.
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
While security is a precondition for development, development is also essential for security. Only concerted international efforts will bring results in attaining the UN's Millenium Development Goals for reducing poverty across the globe and for promoting sustainable development. We recognize the humanitarian and development needs of many regions across the globe, notably in Africa.
There are other important issues, such as organised crime, illegal cross-border migration, disease, climate change and environmental degradation that confront us all. For decades, the United Nations has been dealing with a number of these pressing concerns and it is no secret that the UN urgently requires sweeping reforms to function more efficiently. I, personally, have been involved in this effort as one of the five Special Envoys of the Secretary General on UN reform. Despite of the undeniable difficulties in reaching a consensus, significant progress has been achieved. The Human Rights Council, established by the General Assembly, will hopefully be an improvement on the previous Human Rights Commission. The Peace Building Committee should soon start to play an important role in achieving lasting peace in areas of continued strife and armed conflict. And, last but not least, I hope that the Security Council can be successfully reformed in order to make it more representative of the current world situation.
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Every country, no matter how small, can make a difference in the international arena. This does require a lot of hard work and courage, including the courage to stand up for one's values even though one's commercial interests may sometimes dictate otherwise. While there may be a place for both Realpolitik and Moralpolitik in international relations, one should always recall the consequences of the temptation to trade one off against the other. As European countries with similar interests and goals, Latvia and the UK understand the need for working together to strengthen their common agendas, without compromising the values we stand for. Whatever the challenges that we have to face, I have no doubt that during the years to come, we will grow closer to overcoming them and to achieving our common goals. |
