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Military operations
Civilian missions
Military Operations
Security today has a global character, which means that geographic distance no longer serves as a shield protecting us from unrest in other, more distant regions.
Members of the Latvian Armed Forces are participating in NATO military operations: KFOR in Kosovo, and ISAF in Afghanistan. Under NATO programmes (NATO Training Implementation Mission Iraq, NTIM-I) Latvia provides assistance in training and equipping Iraqi security forces.
Afghanistan
(ISAF - International Security Assistance Force)
The operation in Afghanistan was the first in the history of the Alliance to take place outside the traditional zone of NATO responsibility: the Euro-Atlantic space. ISAF is one of the most significant NATO operations, and will demonstrate the role of the Alliance in resolving future international crises.
The ISAF operation began in December 2001. With the mandate of the UN Security Council, an international coalition of states is providing assistance to the government and newly established army and police of Afghanistan to guarantee security in the country. The ISAF operation in Afghanistan was initiated by the U.S., but on 11 August 2003, NATO took over strategic command of the operation. The take-over of areas of responsibility still continues; in October 2006, ISAF forces of the U.S.- led coalition forces assumed command of the mission for the entire territory of Afghanistan. ISAF forces comprise approximately 36,000 soldiers from 37 countries (26 NATO countries and 11 other countries).
Representatives of the Latvian National Armed Forces (NAF) have been taking part in the ISAF mission since February 2003. At present there are 97 Latvian military personnel, 2 representatives of State Police and 1 political advisor serving in the ISAF mission in Afghanistan.
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Kosovo
(KFOR – Kosovo Force)
The mission was initiated under NATO command on 12 June 1999. At present there are more than 16,000 military personnel from 37 countries in the KFOR forces. The main function of NATO is to guarantee stability and assistance by strengthening the local security and defence sector.
Members of the Latvian NAF have been taking part in the KFOR mission since April 2000. At present there are 15 Latvian military personnel in Kosovo. The Latvian contingent operates as part of the battle group of Multinational Task Force Center (MNTF-C):".
In February 2006, the Baltic Squadron (BALTSQN) Latvian NAF National Guard company of 95 military personnel returned from Kosovo on rotation, and was replaced by Estonian forces as part of the final BALTSQN rotation.
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Iraq – as part of the NATO training programme
(NTIM-I – NATO Training Implementation Mission Iraq)
The NATO mission NTIM-I was begun after the Istanbul Summit of the Alliance in late 2004, when the initial training of members of the Iraqi security forces began. The purpose of the mission is to provide assistance to Iraq, providing training for mid-level and senior members of the country's security forces both within Iraq and externally, and supplying various types of essential equipment. Training costs are borne by the common NATO fund, but travel and accommodation costs for trainees and lecturers are met from the specially established NTIM-I Trust Fund, consisting of payments by member countries.
Latvia has expressed support for providing assistance to the Iraqi government, and, under the NATO 2005 training programme, sent military equipment and armament to Iraqi security forces (small arms, mortars, and ammunition). Latvia made payments to the NTIM-I Fund in 2005 and 2006. In the summer of 2006, two Iraqi specialists in neutralising undetonated munitions were trained at Adazi.
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Military operation in Iraq
(OIF – Operation Iraqi Freedom)
Since 2003 Latvia has been taking part in the military operation in Iraq as part of the Multi-National Force. The present mandate is valid until 31 December 2007 (pursuant to UN Security Council Resolution No. 1723). Latvian units are stationed in the Polish sectors in Diwaniyah and Baghdad. At present, there are 125 Latvian NAF military personnel in the Multi-National force in Iraq.
At the present moment there are 3 Latvian National Armed Forces (NAF) soldiers deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom led by Coalition Forces in Iraq.
On the 19th of June 2007 an infantry company consisting of 121 Latvian soldiers returned home from Iraq. Now after almost 4 years of work Latvian NAF have accomplished their main task, which was to support the Government of Iraq and the newly established Iraqi Security Forces on taking on the responsibility over the security situation in Iraq. Starting October 2006 the responsibility over the region of Diwanijah, where the Latvian NAF solders were located, was gradually transferred to the Government, Armed Forces and Police of Iraq.
In June 2004, while taking part in neutralisation of undetonated munitions, an officer of the Latvian NAF, First Lieutenant Olafs Baumanis, was killed.
On 27 December 2006, during a duty patrol in a boat, two Latvian soldiers, Private First Class Vitalijs Vasiljevs and Private First Class Gints Bleija, were killed when an improvised explosive device was detonated.
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Bosnia un Herzegovina
On 12 July 2004, the Council of the European Union adopted the Common Action Plan for the EU military operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Operation ALTHEA was begun on 2 December 2004, taking over from the NATO led operation Stabilisation Force (NATO SFOR), and replacing NATO forces with EU forces (EUFOR).
As part of the operation, the function of the EU forces is to help provide and maintain a stable and safe environment in the country, and, by supporting the EU Special Representative's implementation plan for the mission, to help fight organised crime and support the stabilisation and association process, thereby promoting the state's readiness for integration into the Euro-Atlantic structures.
Altogether 33 countries have contributed to the establishment of EU forces, including 11 countries which are not EU members. Latvia has been participating in the operation in Bosnia – Herzegovina since April 1996. At present there are 2 Latvian military personnel attached to the EU's ALTHEA peace-keeping operation..
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Civilian Missions
One of the priorities of the European Union is to provide assistance to neighbouring regions involved in conflicts and regions that have suffered from conflicts, aimed at promoting the introduction of the Rule of Law and successful administration, enhancing institutional capacity, the observance of human rights and democratic values, and strengthening the civil society. To provide this assistance, the European Union, under its European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) has successfully implemented, and continues to implement, a number of civilian and civilian military missions.
In becoming an EU member state, Latvia has accepted the responsibility of promoting regional and global security and stability. Latvia is interested in improving EU capacity in preventing conflicts, and sharing its knowledge utilising civilian missions.
At present Latvia is participating in four EU civilian missions:
Bosnia and Herzegovina
The EU Police Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EUPM) – the first ESDP mission, commenced on 1 January 2003, when the mandate of the UN-led International Police Force ended. Initially the mission's mandate was for 3 years until 31 December 2005, as was the mandate of the four participating Latvian Police officers. The objective of the EUPM mission was to raise the standards for establishing order, and prevent political influence in Police structures.
The EUPM has been successful, especially in the fight against trafficking in women. The mission has helped the local Police Restructuring Commission and State Border Guard Service, and has helped establish the State Investigation and Defence Agency.
On 24 November 2005, the Council of the European Union passed a resolution to continue the EUPM mission for another two years (until 31 December 2007). The mission's mandate provides for more assistance in the fight against organised crime and implementation of Police reforms. At present there are two Latvian Police officers seconded to the mission.
Moldova – Ukraine border mission (EUBAM)
In June 2005, the EU agreed that one means of providing assistance to Moldova in its efforts to resolve problems in the separatist Piednestra region would be a border guard assistance mission on the Moldova – Ukraine border, to be funded and implemented by the European Commission.
The mission commenced on 30 November 2005, for a term of six months. Latvia sent six experts to the mission: five Border Guards and one Customs officer. The main tasks of the mission are to help Moldovan and Ukrainian institutions in their efforts to fight illegal trade, and help prevent smuggling, organised crime and corruption. It is very important to establish investigative and administrative capabilities in Moldova and Ukraine to ensure efficient border control and border monitoring, thereby helping to resolve the Piednestra conflict.
On 1 June 2006, the European Commission adopted a resolution to enlarge and extend the EU Border Guard Assistance Mission to Moldova/Ukraine for a further 18 months. The first term of the mission will end on 30 November 2007. The second term has been extended for two years to 30 November 2009.
At present eight experts from Latvia are taking part in the mission: five Border Guards and three Customs officers.
Iraq (EUJUST LEX)
By 2004, the EU had already expressed its resolve to provide a contribution to the improvement of the political, economic and security situation in Iraq. Since the first priority necessary for Iraq to undergo any kind of development in is security, the EU Council of Foreign Ministers decided on 21 February 2005 to undertake an EU Integrated Rule of Law Mission in Iraq (EUJUST LEX). The 7 March Council Joint Action Decision gave the Mission a one year mandate. The Mission commenced on 1 July 2005; its aim is to promote closer co-operation among various institutions of the judicial system, and to train Iraqi experts in areas of criminal law and human rights law. During the mission, senior representatives of the Iraqi judiciary, police and prison administration (a total of 770 people) are being trained. Training is taking place in EU member states in the following areas: human rights, management and leadership, law and order and police control, investigation management, co-operation among institutions of the judiciary, and some specific individual disciplines.
Latvia has expressed political support for the Iraqi transformation process, emphasising the need for the international society to become actively involved in various assistance programmes. The Latvian contribution to the EUJUST LEX mission in 2006 was one expert, a lecturer in human rights issues, who took part in two training courses.
Taking into consideration the Iraqi request and needs, the EU agreed on 15 May 2006 to extend the Mission's mandate to the end of 2007, continuing to send senior Iraqi officials for field training and to special courses. In 2007, Latvia took part in the mission, sending two experts to a training course: one in human rights and the other in the police matters. This course was organised by the relevant Danish institutions, and was attended by 20 senior Iraqi police officers.
Kosovo (EUPT Kosovo)
The EUPT Kosovo is theEU Planning Group in relation to possible EU crisis resolving operation in Kosovo in legal and other possible areas. In June 2005, the Council of the European Union emphasised that for some time to come, an international civilian and military presence will be necessary in Kosovo to provide security and in particular the protection of minorities, to promote the continued implementation of standards, and to monitor the observance of provisions of the agreement on the status of Kosovo.
To give the European Union an opportunity to increase its involvement in Kosovo, Javier Solana, EU High Representative for the CFSP, and Olli Rehn, EU Commissioner for Enlargement, submitted a report to the European Commission on 6 December 2005, "The Future EU Role and Contribution in Kosovo", providing information on future EU contribution in Kosovo.
The EU General Affairs & External Relations Council (GAERC) adopted a resolution on 10 April 2006 to establish the EU Planning Team for Kosovo: EUPT Kosovo. The purpose of EUPT Kosovo is to plan a successful transformation from specific tasks of the UN mission in Kosovo UNMIK to a possible EU crisis-resolving operation in judicial and other areas which the Council of Europe could determine once the status of Kosovo has been decided. EUPT Kosovo was established progressively, starting late April 2006. One Latvian Police officer has been participating as a member of the planning group since 2006.
Completed EU civilian missions in which Latvia has participated:
1) EU Police mission EUPOL Proxima in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM): 15 December 2003-14 December 2005. The purpose of the mission was to assist in the development of an efficient and professional police force. Two Latvian police officers took part in EUPOL Proxima.
2) A group of EU Police consultants in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia,, (EUPAT) from 15 December 2005 to 14 June 2006 to continue the work of the previous EUPOL Proxima. One police expert from Latvia participated.
3) EU mission (EUJUST Themis) on the Rule of Law; in Georgia
On 1 July 1999, a co-operation agreement was signed between the EU and Georgia. The European Community has been providing assistance to Georgia in this and the area of criminal law since 2000 under the TACIS programme.
The EUJUST THEMIS mission in Georgia was the first mission of the EU in the Rule of Law. Following an invitation of the Georgian government, the European Union adopted a resolution in June 2004 on the mission, providing a mandate for one year: from 15 July 2004 to 14 July 2005.
The mission was completed successfully and on time. Its purpose was to assist in and support reforms of criminal law of the country, providing consultations and assistance by experienced experts to ministers, civil servants and relevant structural units of the central apparatus of the government. A special working group was established in the Georgian government, headed by the Minister of Justice of Georgia, and in which experts of the mission participated, drawing up a strategy for reforming Georgian criminal law by incorporating European and international legal standards. The strategy was completed, and approved by the Georgian government on 20 May 2005.
Latvia's contribution to the mission was one expert, a judge, whose work was much appreciated by both the leadership of the mission, and the Georgian institutions.
Support Group for the office of the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus
By the end of the mandate of the EUJUST Themis mission, the goals of the mission had been achieved, but support and assistance of EU experts were still needed to implement the prepared strategy. For this reason, the Office of the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus, Heikki Talvitie, was strengthened in Tbilisi by the addition of a support group which included judicial experts, and a Border Guard support group. Latvia was represented in the ongoing judicial mission by the judge who had previously worked in the EUJUST Themis mission.
EU support to Georgia in judicial matters is provided through the agencies of European Community programmes. The work of the Border Guard support group was extended to the end of February 2007, but its authority has been changed. It continues to assist the Georgian Border Guard Service and other relevant state institutions to prepare a complete reform strategy, and consults to Georgian institutions in strategic and operational issues.
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