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On 11–12 November 2026, Minister for Foreign Affairs Baiba Braže met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte during a working visit to Oslo and took part in a roundtable discussion on maritime security at the Atlantic Future Forum, organised by the government of the United Kingdom.
During the visit, the Minister held bilateral meetings with the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway and the Chair of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence of the Parliament of Norway.
Baiba Braže took part in a roundtable discussion between representatives of the Baltic and Nordic countries (NB8) and the United Kingdom, chaired by Lord Stewart Wood of Anfield, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Participants discussed ways to strengthen maritime security, counter Russia’s shadow fleet and hybrid threats, and enhance the region’s energy security and economic resilience. The discussion also addressed closer EU–UK cooperation in security and defence.
The Minister emphasised that security in the Baltic Sea region and the High North are closely interconnected and that allies must therefore work together to strengthen their defence capabilities. She called for the continuation of a firm sanctions policy against Russia and its supporters and for ensuring that Russia’s international isolation is not weakened. As winter approaches, Ukraine’s key priorities are air defence and a secure energy supply.
During the visit, the Minister discussed security in the Baltic Sea region and the importance of NATO’s Operation Baltic Sentry with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. In bilateral talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway, Espen Barth Eide, Baiba Braže discussed cooperation between the two countries, long-term military and financial support for Ukraine, and ways to counter Russia’s threats and the migration pressure organised by Belarus. The Minister wished Norway every success in coordinating NB8 cooperation in 2027. She emphasised that this framework helps strengthen the region’s security and coordinate action within international organisations, while supporting Ukraine and maintaining pressure on Russia.
In her meeting with Peter Frølich, the Chair of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence of the Parliament of Norway, the Minister discussed support for Ukraine and closer cooperation on strengthening security in the Baltic Sea region and the High North. Baiba Braže emphasised that the security of Europe’s eastern borders must be a priority for the EU and NATO and that air defence on NATO’s eastern flank must be strengthened. The Minister also reported on the ever-increasing migration pressure organised by Belarus at Latvia’s border.
In bilateral talks with Lord Stuart Wood, Baiba Braže commended the active political dialogue and exchange of visits between the two countries over the past year. The Minister expressed her gratitude for the work of the British Council in Latvia and for the United Kingdom’s contribution to the deterrence and defence on NATO’s eastern flank. Ahead of the EU–UK Summit on 20 November, Baiba Braže expressed her support for a closer strategic partnership in security, defence, energy and the economy, as well as for closer people-to-people contacts.
During her visit, the Minister visited the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies (FFI).
