Mr President,
Mr Speaker,
Ministers,
Delegates,
Excellencies,
ladies and gentlemen!

I am delighted to have this unique opportunity to address the representatives of so many countries here in Riga.  In a sense, this session symbolizes the openness and cooperation of countries, the stability and security that could not be taken for granted 20 years ago, when our state was reborn.  Your presence in Riga and our mutual cooperation in strengthening international security is proof that Latvia has made the right foreign policy choice – membership in the Transatlantic Alliance.

In the six years since membership in NATO, we have reached the level of external security, solidarity with our allies, and psychological comfort that is necessary for Latvia’s further development.  This only goes to show that in a relatively short period of time, with our own efforts and the support of friends and allies, we have achieved one of Latvia’s two fundamental political goals – the security of our state and its inhabitants.

Latvia’s accession to NATO strengthened the permanence of our statehood, matched the interests of the Transatlantic Alliance, and was generally a significant step in the strengthening of Europe’s security and stability.  The consistently high public opinion for Latvia’s membership in NATO testifies to these positive effects.  Ratings have remained high even as we experienced loss of lives among our troops serving in international operations.  Throughout the past six years, between half and two thirds of the population have supported our membership in NATO.

Secondly, the Alliance has a strong transatlantic link between America and Europe, ensuring NATO’s strength and vitality.  I am confident that this transatlantic link, founded on the values shared by NATO member states and their readiness to defend those values, is the most important factor in uniting the Alliance.  The strength of the transatlantic link allows us to address security issues also beyond the borders of NATO.

Thirdly, in a political and military sense the Alliance continues to adjust dynamically to the constantly changing global scene.  The demonstrated ability to change along with the international security situation guarantees that NATO member states will also be able to find the best approaches and create the necessary capacities for ensuring their own security in the future.  The cooperation that has evolved over the past 20 years with all countries in the Euro-Atlantic area and also beyond, is evidence of the political dynamism of the Alliance.

Fourthly, the Alliance is also becoming stronger internationally – witness the aspirations of several European countries to join NATO, and the widening circle of countries outside Europe that wish to cooperate more closely with the Alliance, for example, in Afghanistan or other operations.  This circle of countries now includes Africa in the south, Australia in the east and Latin America in the west.  It also includes Russia.  The Alliance still has a hugely attractive force.

This is the second high-level NATO meeting in Riga, following the NATO Summit here in 2006.  This ttime it takes place with the participation of our partners, demonstrating the openness of Latvia and the Alliance to wide cooperation for strengthening security.

As a representative of the executive branch, I am honoured and thankful for the opportunity to address the NATO Parliamentary Assemly and deliver 3 main messages.  Firstly, the security and prosperity of my country, Latvia, has experienced tremendous growth in the past 20 years, when the opportunity appeared for wider cooperation and integration into the Euro-Atlantic community.  We have become more secure thanks to cooperation with your countries.  Latvia will continue to cooperate with countries in Europe and elsewhere, in order to further strengthen security in Europe and beyond its borders.

Secondly, as security threats diversify, and the perception of security threats diversifies, it is necessary to preserve the unity of the Alliance.  This requires a closer dialogue between member states and partners, between national governments and parliaments, and between elected representatives and society.  Latvia wishes to strengthen the solidarity and unity of the Alliance as we face the security challenges of the 21st Century.  Therefore I consider it a special responsibility and opportunity to address you, the elected representatives of the people, in order to promote the strengthening of this unity at the level of government, parliament and the wider society.

Thirdly, cooperation by the Alliance with its partners has never been as wide as it is now, after enlargement.  This means that NATO is important not only to its member states, but also a wide circle of countries outside NATO.  That is understandable.  The global political, economic and social processes have become more interconnected and interdependent, the world has become more unified.  New threats are supranational and suprainstitutional.  This became evident not only in the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan, but also in containing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, piratism, effects of global climate change, access to energy sources, as well as the global financial crisis and economic recession.  No country is so large that it can resolve these challenges by itself, and no country is so small that it can escape these challenges.  That is why Latvia, as a NATO member state, wishes to widen and strengthen cooperation with partner countries.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Latvia will uphold these three principles in relation to the strategic overview taking place within NATO on the goals and tasks for the Alliance in the 21st Century.  At the same time, while looking into the future, we must not become distracted from the most important current operational mission of the Alliance – support to the Government of Afghanistan in the fields of security, governance and economic development.  Our joint success in Afghanistan and the future effectiveness of NATO depend on the resources devoted to these aims and to the economic and financial situation in general. The ability to balance short-term financial capabilities and operational needs with long-term goals will decide how strong, unified and effective the Alliance can be once the economic crises has been overcome and the situation in Afghanistan has been stabilized.

The financial crisis and economic recession made an impact on budget expenditures and programmes in many countries, including Latvia.  Belt-tightening affected the social, education and defence sectors.  However, no matter how large the economic difficulties experienced by Latvia, we were aware that these difficulties must not make a serious impact on the implementation of our foreign policy goals.  They must not damage our ability to participate in crucial international operations and missions.  We were aware that continuing assistance to others, even while we are struggling, is a difficult, but correct choice.  In the midst of Latvia’s economic downturn we felt that it is important to keep our commitments to the international community.  Now we hope that international cooperation and mutual links will only grow stronger because of the crisis. 

National defence and security requires long-term thinking and until now we have been able to prove with deeds as well as words our long-term commitment to our allies.  Thus we have strengthened the ties with our allies. The most visible and best proof of this is NATO policing of Baltic airspace. That scorrespond to our security interests.

At present I can say that the lowest point of the crisis is already behind us.  We have completed a fundamental review and consolidation of our budget expenditures, as well as necessary reforms in various fields.  For many people in Latvia this has been a time of painful change, yet the majority understands that the economy cannot be made sustainable without significant austerity measures.  I am grateful to the people of Latvia for their understanding and support, and for their ability to work actively to overcome the crisis.  I am convinced that our joint experience in handling the crises will inspire other countries, which are currently also undergoing similar, seemingly insurmountable difficulties.

Today I can already say with certain optimism that we have raised the profile of economic spheres that have proven competitive in the export market and have significantly improved our trade balance in a relatively short period of time.  Of course, we could not overcome this crisis only by ourselves.  It would not be possible without the support of European Union member states and other international lenders.  Their assistance to Latvia during the crisis has once again reminded us of the value of membership in the EU and NATO.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The security and future of Afghanistan is closely tied to that of Europe, including Latvia.  We wish to strengthen our long-term security and in the case of Afghanistan that means our long-term assistance.  I have just returned from a visit to Afghanistan, where I personally saw how large and wide-ranging is the scope of the involvement by the international comunity in rebuilding the state.  I also saw that security, good governance and the building of foundations for the economy continue to be a serious challenge to the people of Afghanistan, to the surrounding region and to the international community as a whole.  Every form of assistance counts.  We cannot afford to abandon work mid-way.  We will continue to assist Afghanistan.  We have stated this intention in several international fora in the past, and do so again now.

Further proof of the seriousness with which Latvia views her commitments is the fact  that while defense spending has been cut significantly during the economic crisis, our participation in the ISAF operation has remained at a steady level.  Even during a crisis, Latvia’s representation per capita is one of the highest in the opertion.  Of course, numbers are not the main concern.  It is vital that all contributions, whether large or small, have a real impact on rebuilding Afghanistan.

As we know, one of the most important tasks of the government of Afghanistan is the creation of security forces.  Latvia is also assisting in this task.  Latvia is the smallest of the countries that have established an Operational Mentor and Liaiason Team.  The Team has been working already for the third year [together with the US] in one of the the most insecure areas of Afghanistan, by the border with Pakistan.

Following my visit to Afghanistan and meetings with our armed forces, I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank all serving officers and civilian experts, as well as their families in Latvia, for the psychological and moral support in fulfilling this dangerous mission, which is so important to the security of Latvia and to all of us.

Thank you!

Having mentioned Pakistan, I will also mention cooperation in the region.  Terrorism is a problem specific to Afghanistan – it is a problem for the whole region.  Therefore it can only be addressed by the whole region jointly.  We as a Baltic state have a very positive experience of regional cooperation at all levels.  This experience has shown, that through dialogue and practical measures one can resolve many problems.  In fact, this cooperation is also being manifested in Afghanistan, where we work together with Norway in a Provincial Reconstruction Team.

Currently one of the main tasks of the government of Afghanistan is to create conditions for reconciliating the fighting parties.  Without reconciliation and the reintegration of fighters into civilian society it will not be possible to achieve security, which is an important precondition for building solid foundations for the economy.  We have great hopes for the Loya Jirga taking place concurrently with this session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, although we recognize that fast results cannot be expected.  The process will take time, but the main thing is to ensure that all sides are involved, nobody is left out of the process and the conditions for a sustainable reconciliation are created.

Never has Afghanistan received so much international attention as now.  There has never been a better time, a better momentum to turn the assistance for political, military, economic and development needs into real, tangible results.  We hope that this year a number of provinces will have achieved the conditions for the transition of real power into the hands of the people of Afghanistan.  That would be a serious turning point, which could be marked at the NATO Summit in Lisbon in November.

By the time of the Lisbon Summit, NATO member states will have carefully considered the expected challenges of the 21st Century and defined the parameters for action by the Alliance in averting these threats.  Since Latvia acceded to NATO, this is the first wideranging strategic discussion about the goals, fundamental tasks and future direction of the Alliance.  I have to say, we are satisfied with the way the discussion has been going.  There is no doubt that the Alliance will continue to preserve its fundamental task – to guarantee the freedom and security of its member states.

In addition to this task, we will have to find the right approach to positively influencing the changing security environment, which is characterised by the presence of asymmetrical threats.  Insecurity caused by new threats does not depend on borders alone anymore.  We have to find answers to new threats – the effects of global climate change, the issue of missile defence, some aspects of energy security, cybersecurity and so on.

Judging from the first result – the report of the group of wise men to the Secretary General of NATO, the initial discussion has already given rise to a good formula, which succinctly characterizes the formula for action by the Alliance in the coming decades: assured security-dynamic engagement.

To Latvia, this sounds like a sustainable philosophy and I hope all member states will be able to agree on it at the Lisbon Summit.  As we understand it, the essence of this  formula is that the practical strengthening of security of the 28 member states will allow them with greater confidence to participate in averting threats beyond our borders.  And, on the other hand, preventive cooperation with all NATO partner states and other third states in minimising asymmetrical threats will help avoid the eruption of new crises and thereby strengthen the security of the Alliance itself.  I believe that preserving the tradiditional capabilities of the Alliance and openness to wider cooperation is a good philosophy, which corresponds to the interests of NATO member states and those partner countries here present.

The Alliance has not yet used all opportunities to strengthen the security of member states and increase international security. Therefore futher efforts are needed to strengthen solidarity and increase operational capability.  The fundamental interests of Latvia vis-a-vis NATO – political unity of the Alliance and increased operational capability – remain unchanged.  They will strengthen the Alliance.  They are an important precondition for strong partnerships with the Alliance.  They will strengthen the security of Latvia and of us all.

Thank you.