On Thursday in Riga, at the Freedom Monument, the Ministry of Defense invites citizens to attend the events dedicated to the 20th anniversary of Latvia’s membership in NATO, in order to celebrate together the twentieth anniversary since Latvia joined the strongest military alliance, the Ministry of Defense informed LETA agency.
On Thursday, from 8:30 to 9 a.m., a flash event will take place at the Freedom Monument – the unfurling of the large-sized “Latvija NATO-20” flag, in which anyone interested is invited to participate. The National Armed Forces Headquarters Orchestra will give a musical performance during the event.
Later at 12:40 a flower-laying ceremony dedicated to the visit of Admiral Rob Bauer, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee to Latvia, will be held at the Freedom Monument, in which Defense Minister Andris Sprūds (P) and National Armed Forces Commander Lieutenant General Leonids Kalniņš will take part.
In case of favorable weather conditions, at 12.55 p.m., a low flyover of fighter jets of the allied air forces is planned over the Freedom Monument, demonstrating the presence of NATO’s Baltic Airspace Patrol Mission in our region.
At 13:00 in Freedom Square near the Freedom Monument, the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee and the Minister of Defense will open the photo exhibition “Latvia NATO-20”, which will tell about Latvia’s path to NATO, Latvia’s contribution to NATO, participation in international operations, joint exercises of allies in Latvia and abroad and other Topics related to Latvia’s membership in NATO.
The opening of the exhibition will be attended by the soldiers of the NATO member states, who are currently on duty in Latvia on a rotational basis, and the National Armed Forces Headquarters Orchestra will give a musical performance. The exhibition at the Freedom Monument will be open until April 25.
From 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., in Brīvības Square, you will also be able to see the exhibition of military equipment of Latvia and allied countries, as well as meet with the soldiers of the battle group of NATO’s extended presence in Latvia.
On the other hand, at 3:00 p.m., the Latvian War Museum will host the “Latvija NATO-20” stamp and envelope dedicated to the 20th anniversary of Latvia’s membership in NATO and the opening of the “NATO – For You and Latvia” exhibition. The exhibition will include artistically designed news portals and social media platforms, as well as unique historical items that will allow tracing the process of Latvia’s accession to NATO. The exhibition will be on display until August 2024.
Chairman of the NATO Military Committee Admiral Rob Bauers will stay in Latvia until March 29. During the visit, the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee will meet with Minister of Defense Spruda and Commander of the National Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Kalniņa, to discuss current international and regional security issues.
After the opening of the “Latvija NATO-20” exhibition, which starts at 1 p.m., the mass media will be able to meet with the chairman of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Rob Bauer, in Brīvības Square near the Freedom Monument.
