On Thursday, 16 April 2026, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, met with Daniel Günther, Prime Minister of Schleswig-Holstein and Dr Peter Tschentscher, First Mayor of Hamburg. The German delegation is visiting Latvia, accompanied by entrepreneurs and scientists, to develop closer and more practical cooperation with Latvian partners, particularly in the fields of innovation and defence.
During the meeting, the officials emphasised that cooperation between Latvia and Germany is becoming increasingly strategic in both security and economic contexts. Particular attention was paid to drone technologies and unmanned systems, which are becoming central elements of modern defence.
“The development of drone technology is the foundation of future security – Latvia, together with the United Kingdom, leads the Drone Coalition. Latvia also has both the experience and the capacity to become a place where these technologies are developed, tested, and put into practice,” Baiba Braže emphasised.
Latvia has established itself as a regional leader in this field, combining experience gained from providing support to Ukraine with advanced testing infrastructure and the ability of local companies to design and manufacture drones capable of operating even under electronic warfare conditions.
Latvia has established an extensive testing infrastructure, such as Sēlija, Ādaži, and Šķēde military training areas, as well as the NATO-recognised Autonomous Systems Competence Centre, which provides opportunities for both local and foreign companies to develop and test solutions under real-world conditions. The officials emphasised that future defence capabilities will be based on integrated systems and artificial intelligence solutions, while also developing cost-effective anti-drone technologies and drawing on Ukraine’s wartime experience.
The officials also discussed security in the Baltic Sea region, including the security of critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, hybrid threats, and the measures needed to counter them, namely decisive action to curb the activities of Russia’s shadow fleet. In this regard, the Foreign Minister emphasised the need to increase pressure on Russia by urgently approving the 20th round of EU sanctions.
Baiba Braže informed German officials about Latvia’s support for Ukraine, including planned projects for Ukraine’s reconstruction, and commended Germany’s funding allocated to support Ukraine.
The discussion covered current issues on the international agenda, including developments in the Middle East. The Foreign Minister emphasised that close transatlantic cooperation remains an indispensable element of both European security and support for Ukraine.
Practical cooperation in the defence industry was also highlighted, including the development of ammunition production in Latvia in collaboration with Rheinmetall.
At the same time, cooperation in the field of innovation and unmanned systems will be one of the central topics at the international Drone Summit in Riga in May 2026, bringing together representatives from NATO and partner countries, industry, and experts.
