On 11 August 2026, Latvia and several other countries* joined the joint statement initiated by the United States of America (USA) on ballistic missile launch notifications, in which countries are encouraged to participate in mechanisms such as the Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation, which provides for advance notification of ballistic missile launches.
The statement emphasises that, given the recent test of an intercontinental ballistic missile in the Pacific region – which did not comply with the standard practice of advance notification adopted by many countries – the USA, Latvia, and the other countries that have joined the statement* call on all countries, particularly those possessing nuclear weapons, to issue a notification at least 24 hours in advance regarding tests of intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles, and space launch vehicles.
The launch of ballistic missiles without timely advance notification to other countries threatens the peace and security of the countries in the region concerned. It increases the risk of miscalculation of the situation and undermines international stability and security.
The statement confirms that the USA, Latvia, and the other countries that have joined the statement* are committed to cooperating with all countries to strengthen the implementation of early notification mechanisms.
* Countries that have joined the statement: Albania, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Montenegro, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Palau, Philippines (the), Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, the Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Türkiye, Ukraine, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the United States of America