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On 3 October 2025, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Baiba Braže, welcomed the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovakia, Juraj Blanár, to Latvia for a working visit.
The Ministers discussed Russia’s war against Ukraine and the global threat posed by Russia, the security situation on NATO’s eastern flank, sanctions against Russia, strengthening energy security, bilateral cooperation, including in the fields of defence industry and security. The Ministers also looked into the issues of current importance for the EU– the enlargement process based on EU criteria, the next long-term budget, strengthening the EU’s external borders, and combating illegal migration.
Baiba Braže and Juraj Blanár met with the leadership of NATO’s Multinational Division North and the Multinational Brigade in Latvia at the Camp Ādaži military base, were given a tour of the Museum of Occupation of Latvia, and laid flowers at the Freedom Monument.
Foreign Minister Baiba Braže: “I would like to thank Slovakia for its comprehensive support to Ukraine and for its military presence in the NATO Multinational Brigade in Ādaži, which is a significant contribution to strengthening the deterrence and defence capabilities of Latvia and the Eastern flank.
We support peace efforts by the US President Donald Trump, and we agree that there is one person who stands between war and peace; therefore, in order to promote the peace process, pressure must be sustained, including further strengthening of sanctions against Russia, because the EU sanctions regime is working. At the same time, an all-round support to Ukraine must continue.
The eastern border, being the first line of security, is vital for the security of the entire EU, especially given Russia’s increasingly aggressive and intensive hybrid threats, including the instrumentalization of migration at the Baltic and Polish borders and airspace violations in several EU Member States. This is part of Russia’s strategy to destabilize the EU and NATO. We strongly advocate for a much stricter migration policy and the strengthening of the EU’s external border, including in the context of the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework.”
Baiba Braže and Juraj Blanár discussed the results of the democratic election to the Moldovan parliament on 28 September, which clearly demonstrate people’s choice in favour of the Eurointegration course. The Ministers fully support a criteria-based integration into the EU of Moldova and Ukraine as well as of the Western Balkan countries – this is not only a political and economic matter, but also a security issue.
Baiba Braže shared Latvia’s experience of ensuring energy independence from Russia, including the synchronization of the Baltic power grids with the continental European networks and the diversification of gas supplies. The Ministers exchanged views on promoting economic cooperation, especially in the areas of ICT, smart materials and automotive industries.
The Slovak Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Juraj Blanár, extended an invitation to Baiba Braže to visit Slovakia. Baiba Braže accepted the invitation.