The Prime Minister of Latvia was welcomed by a military honor guard in Berlin; the meeting between the two leaders then lasted longer than planned.
The heads of government of the two countries discussed security issues, bilateral economic cooperation, as well as military support for Ukraine.
Siliņa thanked Germany for its leading role and investments in the Baltic States, and in Latvia – directly in security and economy.
Both countries have the opportunity to cooperate not only in the economy, but also in the field of transport and the development of the military industry. Latvia also highly values Germany’s military support for Ukraine.
Siliņa expressed satisfaction with Germany’s readiness to defend Latvia in the event of a crisis.
“Germany is Latvia’s strategic partner – bilaterally, regionally and in international organizations, as well as in the European Union and NATO, where we have been together for 20 years. This is in line with Latvia’s national interests, because we really want even more Germany in Latvia.
I am glad that the chancellor announced that Germany would defend Latvia within NATO in the event of a crisis, as well as any other NATO country. We also agreed on the importance of German investment in our economy and long-term cooperation in the field of green energy.”
The leaders of both countries recognized the need to strengthen defense capabilities. Siliņa announced that Latvia is open to various possibilities for financing the defense capabilities of the European Union. But you need to invest in them now.
Meanwhile, the head of the German government has welcomed Latvia’s experience in the fight against disinformation, saying that his country can gain a lot. He also expressed that Europe should do more to support Ukraine.
Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa and German Chancellor Olaf Šolcs
Photo: Gatis Rozenfelds, State Chancellery
Germany’s aid to Ukraine in arms supplies will immediately reach 28 billion euros, but Scholz admitted that the West “needs to do more” to support Ukraine. Scholz also positively assessed the Czech munitions supply initiative, purchasing artillery rounds for Ukraine from outside Europe.
In the conversation with Šolcs, Siliņa also brought up the issue of manganese ore transit, for the regional solution of which Finland, Poland and the two Baltic neighboring countries were also approached.
Scholz acknowledged that these are difficult times in international politics and that some of the things we used to rely on are no longer what they should be, specifically pointing to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The German chancellor reminded that Latvia and Germany have been close partners in the EU and NATO for 20 years, and in addition, Germany contributes to the support of NATO’s eastern flank, namely with its soldiers in Lithuania and airspace control in Estonia and now also in Latvia.
