In 1999, when Vaira Vīke-Freiberga became the mistress of Riga Castle, there was a lot to be done on the way to NATO. V. Vīke-Freiberga was able to quickly win the trust of the allies, to convince them and to answer questions about whether we are the same, whether we have the same values, whether the Baltic states are defensible, whether the Baltic states will give something to collective security or just take something. In 2002, Latvia, together with the other countries, was invited to join the alliance at the Prague summit, so that these delusions and doubts disappear.
Therefore, approaching the twentieth anniversary of Latvia’s membership in NATO, LATO decided to establish an award for public information and involvement in security discussions. There was no doubt that this award should be given to V. Vīkei-Freiberga.
“We are currently in the safest situation we can be in because we are both in NATO and in the European Union. We also understand that we will have to do a lot to strengthen our national defense because security is not an outcome, security is, frankly, a process Security, like independence, must be taken care of every day, and we will never be able to say that everything is over,” State President Edgars Rinkevičs emphasized at the event.
Latvia managed to get into NATO through the door
V. Vīke-Freiberga reminded that Latvia managed to enter NATO, this organization, which was considered as a Cold War response to the tension in the world between communist and capitalist forces, totalitarianism and democracy, through the crack in the door.
“When the Soviet Union collapsed, many people thought that everything was done, completed and we would be able to bloom beautifully and flourish and develop. But I think that there were feelings in Latvia that we have hopes, that we should try to show our neighbors that we do not harbor hatred about the transgressions of the past, we are ready to continue forward in one direction, which would be the path of development, freedom and democracy.
There were signs, moments when it seemed that NATO might be redundant, it is no longer necessary. At the moment when Latvia made the decision to move closer to the transatlantic structures, as it was formulated at the time, two goals were set.
We don’t want to remain on the doorstep of Europe, we don’t want to remain somewhere standing behind the door where world decisions are made and communication takes place with those forces that go in the same direction, that have the same values, but above all we hoped to find a common way with our allies and neighbors, which would guarantee that all the horrors experienced in the 20th century, and especially the events of the Second World War, their consequences, the occupation for all the long years, that we will be able to leave it all behind and build a new, better world.
When we declared our desire, there was no loud cheering and no one welcomed us with open arms. On the contrary, we had to knock on all kinds of doors, and our job then was to knock on those doors, get in and put forward our opinions, claims, as some believed – how dare you claim such a status, and had to tell them that it is it goes without saying that we meet all the requirements and all the criteria that a NATO member state, a European Union member state must fulfill.
And we continued to do that for eight long years, but the first years of my tenure were particularly intense. And thanks to everyone who participated, because we had to work and fight on many fronts at once. We had to fight with the burden of history, the Holocaust and how it was perceived in the world, which happened in Latvia during the German occupation. The Commission of Historians was one of the fighters in this battle of persuasion.
We had to prove that we do not oppress our minorities and do not harm them, and I had seven days after the inauguration to return to the Saeima the law on language, which, I had already been told, did not meet the requirements of either the European Union or NATO.
And we must thank the Saeima of that time and the government of that time that they understood the seriousness of the matter, and the law, although it was understood and accepted by the people, had to be changed so that the wolf was fed and the goat was alive. And so we continued, so that the wolf was fed and the goat was alive. So that we meet the requirements, but not hurt ourselves.
So that we can express our opinions, our beliefs, our demands, our claims to our place under the sun, that we have the same rights as anyone else. If you want security and are willing to donate funds and prepare for it, then we also want security and believe we deserve it. But it was really hard work of persuasion, including with our own dear compatriots. And LATO was a bridge between political goals and both international and domestic public understanding of the move towards NATO.
Needless to say, right now we can only look back at these historical events with relief, take a deep breath and be glad that we managed to get inside through the gap in that door. And believe me, there were serious forces in various things and places that did not want us to get there. He did not want to and actively acted against it.
Therefore, thanks to all comrades-in-arms and the Latvian people, who nevertheless understood that we have to show that we are not a burden to democratic countries, that we belong to democratic countries, that we respect and honor our freedom and their freedom, and that we all stand together shoulder to shoulder as allies, it will be easier to defend this freedom and guarantee it in the future,” said V. Vīke-Freiberga.
We are in the safest situation we can be in
Already since the mid-nineties, it was completely clear that the great hope that Russia would become a democratic, civilized and liberal country, where human rights would be respected, began to disappear, and those who were responsible for the fate of Latvia at that time had only one clear path, what is going on for Latvia – membership in both the European Union and NATO. Although at the 1996 summit in Madrid, Latvia and the other Baltic states were not even mentioned as potential NATO candidate countries and members, it seemed that it was something far and beautiful.
“We heard many times from our current allies and friends – maybe you will join the European Union, but NATO – there are big doubts. You should hardly annoy Russia, you should hardly disturb the world order,” said E. Rinkevič.
He recalled that that time was quite difficult – a lot had to be done to build our defense system, to build the system of our national security institutions, and our diplomats, both in Europe and across the ocean, had to work a lot to convince foreign allies and partners that we we can and are capable of being a member of the alliance. Until 2000 and 2001, there were more questions than answers to the question of whether Latvia would become a member of NATO.
Political scientist Žaneta Ozoliņa recalled the merits of politicians so that Latvia could join NATO, but no less important, in her opinion, was the attitude of society, and not everyone supported Latvia’s participation in the alliance one hundred percent. The so-called second line work also had to be carried out, and that was work with the public, work convincing the public that this is the only politically correct choice that will lead to maintaining Latvia’s security and defense. And V. Vīķe-Freiberga also played a big role in this public involvement and information work.
US Ambassador to Latvia: Together we are ready to defend ourselves against any threats
US Ambassador to Latvia Christopher Robinson emphasized in a conversation with “kontekst.lv” at the event dedicated to the 20th anniversary of NATO membership in the War Museum: “Latvia is stronger today, it is more united. I often say about the relationship between the United States of America and Latvia – together we are stronger. It is wonderful, that this event is celebrated in this way. 20 years together, stronger together, safer together, ready for any challenge! We have an ongoing commitment to Europe. Our Article 5 commitment is a sacred commitment, as President Biden said: Europeans, Latvians can be sure of our strong, ongoing transatlantic partnership that will continue. We stand ready to defend against any threat, whatever its form.”
Latvian Defense Minister Andris Sprūds told the guests before the opening of the exhibition: “NATO is fulfilling its function today, NATO is showing that it is a rock of security. And we are also promoting this by developing our capabilities, involving society, developing infrastructure so that our allies can come here and those who are already here could continue to be here. Also, we are taking the initiative and showing allies how important it is to invest in defense in these times.”
An open-air photo exhibition dedicated to the history of Latvia’s accession to NATO has opened at the Freedom Monument in Riga. The day before, an exhibition of military equipment was held there, in which the soldiers of the allied countries Italy, Spain and Canada participated. To the question of the “kontekst.lv” correspondent, whether you are ready to defend us in the event of a threat, the Canadian military officer answered: “Of course, 100%! It is part of NATO!”
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