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On Tuesday, 16 December, Prime Minister Evika Siliņa, during a working visit to Helsinki, took part in the European Union (EU) Eastern Flank Leaders’ Summit hosted by Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, together with the heads of state and government of Finland, Sweden, Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, Romania, and Bulgaria.
“Russia is a long-term threat to Europe’s security. It is the Eastern Flank countries that feel this threat most directly. Every day, we protect the external borders of the European Union and NATO on land, in the air, and at sea, while simultaneously facing hybrid threats and attempts at sabotage,” said the Prime Minister of Latvia.
E. Siliņa noted: “A strong Eastern flank of Europe means a safer Europe as a whole. Our unity is our strength and our best defence.”
The leaders’ agenda focused on the security situation in the region, an assessment of the long-term threats posed by Russia to Europe, and discussions on practical avenues for cooperation within the EU and NATO. Particular attention was paid to strengthening the EU and NATO’s eastern border, developing defence capabilities, air and counter-drone defence, improving military mobility, and enhancing civil and military resilience.
“Latvia is already significantly strengthening its defence capabilities. Next year, 5% of GDP will be allocated to security and defence. This is our contribution not only to Latvia’s security, but to the security of Europe as a whole,” E. Siliņa emphasized.
During the summit, a joint declaration by the Eastern Flank countries was adopted, in which leaders agreed on the need to continue strengthening Europe’s eastern flank on land, in the air, at sea, in cyberspace, and in space, as well as to continue increasing investment in defence, while closely coordinating actions within the EU and NATO.
At the summit, the Prime Minister of Latvia placed particular emphasis on strengthening the security of the EU’s external border, including land border protection and the security of critical infrastructure, the development of air and counter-drone defence capabilities, and the improvement of military mobility.
The leaders also reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression, stressing that Ukraine’s security is an integral part of Europe’s security.
