On 16 May 2026, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, concluded a working visit to Estonia, during which she participated in the Lennart Meri Conference and met with Margus Tsahkna, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia; Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines; and General Ingo Gerhartz, Commander of Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum.
Speaking at the conference, the Foreign Minister highlighted four key areas for strengthening European security: strengthening Europe’s military capabilities and defence industry; expanding NATO presence on the eastern flank; continuing long-term support for Ukraine; and weakening Russia through sanctions and political pressure.
Assessing Russia’s current military capabilities, the Minister emphasised:
“To say that the Russian army is moving at a snail’s pace would be an insult to snails. If a snail had started moving from Avdiivka in February 2022 and headed west, it would have reached Czechia by now, while Russia is still stuck in the Donbas. Ukraine has seized the initiative – we must seize this moment and strengthen our support.”
During a meeting with General Ingo Gerhartz, Commander of Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum, the Minister called for continued efforts to enhance NATO’s defence capabilities on its eastern flank, particularly air defence capabilities in the Baltic region. Both the Minister and the Commander acknowledged the importance of learning from Ukraine’s experience in military operations. The Minister provided an overview of Latvia’s support for Ukraine and the agreement reached this week by the presidents of both countries on long-term cooperation in the defence industry.
Baiba Braže met with Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, to discuss bilateral and multilateral relations, including cooperation within international organisations and the potential for economic cooperation – last year, Latvia’s total trade turnover with the Philippines increased by 26.2%. The Foreign Minister emphasised Latvia's interest in developing relations with the Southeast Asian region, as well as its support for closer dialogue between the European Union (EU) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The parties discussed regional security challenges and the need to continue supporting Ukraine.
During a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, Baiba Braže discussed coordinated action to strengthen transatlantic cooperation, as well as current regional and bilateral agenda items. In the context of regional security, the Minister emphasised the need to strengthen NATO and the EU’s eastern border. The ministers agreed that the EU must continue increasing sanctions pressure against Russia by targeting sectors that provide Russia with revenue, including the shadow fleet. This year, Estonia is the coordinating country in the Baltic-Nordic cooperation (NB8) format and is also holding the presidency in the Baltic Council of Ministers and the Baltic Assembly.
The Lennart Meri Conference is organised by the International Centre for Defence and Security and is one of the most important forums on security and foreign policy in Northern Europe.