Letter from Mr Indulis Berzis, Minister
of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Latvia
In reference to the European Union Committee's
inquiry into the Common European Security and Defence Policy,
I would hereby like to take the opportunity of setting forth the
views of the Government of Latvia on this issue.
Latvia welcomes Europe's efforts to develop
the capacity to manage crises on the continent. At the same time,
we believe that more Europe does not in any way mean less America.
A strong Transatlantic link and close EU-NATO co-operation is
an essential precondition for effective European action in crisis
management. Latvia believes that the United States involvement
in Europe is indispensable. Consequently, Latvia supports the
development of a European crisis management capacity, which would
neither undermine NATO's fundamental role in collective defence,
nor cause duplication with its forces.
Also, Latvia sees the emerging Common European
Security and Defence Policy as a new dimension of European integration.
As a successful candidate state for accession to the European
Union, Latvia wishes to be engaged in all aspects of European
integration. Latvia is interested to participate in all ongoing
consultations and activities related to the European security
and defence policy in relevant modalities.
The Helsinki Conclusions drawn by the Finnish
Presidency in December last year indicate that both European Union
candidate states and non-EU NATO member states should be actively
and effectively involved in European security and defence processes.
Therefore, Latvia believes that both EU candidates and non-EU
Allies should be contributing on an equal footing to the development
of Common European Security and Defence Policy.
Over the last years, Latvia has considerably
increased its defence budget, which now constitutes 1.04 per cent
of the country's GDP, having undergone an increase of 33 per cent
in comparison with last year. Moreover, Latvia has also committed
itself to further raise its defence spending to 2 per cent of
GDP in the year 2003.
Thus, Latvia clearly demonstrates that it is
a contributor to European security. On appropriate occasion, Latvia
will consider the possibility to designate forces for European-led
operations. In the coming years, the Latvian professional battalion
LATBAT, a rapid reaction force able to act in crises both in and
outside Latvia, will be fully operational. The Latvian National
Armed Forces also have specially trained medical units, military
police personnel, units of combat engineers and divers, as well
as several search and rescue ships, at their disposal.
Finally, I would like to reiterate Latvia's
wish to be involved and be able to effectively contribute to European
security and defence processes. We believe that the arrangements
to be worked out in the near future will maintain and further
strengthen our involvement.
Please accept, Sir, the assurances of my highest
consideration.
22 February 2000
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