The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, during her working visit to Singapore, met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Singapore, Vivian Balakrishnan, for a discussion on cooperation in economy, innovations and security, including cybersecurity, and cooperation in international organisations.
Baiba Braže also met with high-ranking officials from other countries: the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, Jean-Noël Barrot; the Secretary of Defense of the United States Pete Hegseth, and Congressman Brian Mast, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee; the Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia, Jan Adams; the Minister of Defence of New Zealand, Judith Collins; the Deputy Minister of Defence of Canada, Stephanie Beck; the Minister for Defence of Papua New Guinea, Dr Billy Joseph; the Minister of Defence of Finland, Antti Häkkanen; and the Minister of Defence of Sweden, Pål Jonson.
In a conversation with US Defence Secretary Hegseth, Baiba Braže addressed preparations for the NATO summit in The Hague. Defence Secretary Hegseth welcomed the investment by the Baltic states in the development of their defence capabilities and contribution to the strengthening of the Alliance’s common security while moving towards spending 5% of GDP on national defence and security.
The Foreign Minister participated in the Shangri-La Dialogue 2025 – one of the most important security forums in the Asia-Pacific region. This year, the event focuses on innovations in defence and security, especially cyber security, maritime security and interregional security challenges.
Baiba Braže thanked Minister Balakrishnan for Singapore’s support to Ukraine and for strengthening a rules-based international order. Singapore has imposed financial sanctions on Russia and voted in favour of the United Nations General Assembly resolutions condemning Russian aggression against Ukraine. The minister called on Singapore to join the Drone Coalition.
The Foreign Ministers of Latvia and Singapore agreed that further support to Ukraine is a contribution to strengthening global security, also taking into account the close link between the European security space and that of the Indo-Pacific region: “Latvia and Singapore, as small countries, recognise and value their current independence, sovereignty and security, being aware that we must fight for those values every day and invest in them because freedom comes at a cost.”
The Minister expressed Latvia’s desire to strengthen bilateral relations and economic cooperation, especially in the field of innovation and technology. In the first three months of 2025, exports of Latvian goods to Singapore have increased by 169%, compared to the first three months of 2024.
In a meeting with the Secretary of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Jan Adams, Baiba Braže called for even closer security cooperation, including cyber security, the fight against hybrid threats and disinformation. Baiba Braže thanked Australia for its involvement in the Drone Coalition and for participation in the Drone Summit held in Riga on 28 May.
In a conversation with New Zealand’s Defence Minister Judith Collins, Baiba Braže welcomed New Zealand’s participation in the Drone Coalition and called for closer cooperation in security, defence, economy, and innovation.
Baiba Braže thanked the Deputy Minister of National Defence of Canada, Stephanie Beck, for Canada’s contribution to strengthening security in Latvia and NATO’s eastern flank. The officials discussed the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague, further support to Ukraine, and the need to put further pressure on Russia.
The Foreign Minister was in Singapore for a working visit on 30-31 May.
