It is my pleasure to welcome you to Riga, Latvia for the Spring Session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.  In Riga you can see so much of the history of the region as well as an example of the vibrancy and modernity of the Baltic States today.   For hundreds of years, Riga stood at the crossroads of commerce in northern Europe, and that trading spirit is still alive and well in Latvia ’s capital.

Latvia is one of the newer members of NATO but it is an old member of the European family of nations.  For many years, larger states fought over Latvia ’s territory and divided the spoils of war as they saw fit.  That history weighed heavily on Latvia in the 20th Century, but since 1991 it has been a truly independent state and a welcome part of this Alliance since 1999. 

Latvia ’s membership in the transatlantic Alliance crystallizes much of what NATO is all about: providing a collective defence guarantee for a community of nations with shared values and beliefs. 

It is important for us to reflect on this as we begin our Spring Session.  In the Assembly’s contribution to the new Strategic Concept, we recommended that the Alliance recommit itself to the centrepiece of NATO: Article 5.  Yet, there is much more to NATO than just collective defence.  NATO plays a central role in stabilization missions, whether in the Balkan region or further afield in Afghanistan.  It is the assurance given in Article 5 that allows its members the freedom to participate in such missions that contribute to broader stability without compromising their own security. 

I would like to extend my thanks and gratitude to the hosts and organizers of this Spring Session, in particular, Ms. Vaira Paegle, head of the Latvian delegation.  We all look forward to an interesting and engaging series of meetings in Riga as well as a taste of Latvia ’s unique culture, cuisine and hospitality.

Hon. John Tanner