The minister met on Tuesday with U.S. Congress House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers and Representative Elissa Slotkin, as well as U.S. House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Mike Turner.
During this meeting, Latvia first thanked the United States for the support provided to the Baltic States. This year, the U.S. has allocated USD 225 million to the development of the armed forces of the three Baltic States and also to building new capabilities.
The meeting also discussed the results of the NATO Vilnius Summit. “It should be said that the assessment is similar: that the countries on NATO's East flank have been substantially strengthened and new ways have also been found to increase security in our countries,” the Minister said.
Having regard to the fact that the NATO Vilnius Summit also dealt with cooperation to strengthen the anti-air defense system, Latvia has addressed the U.S. about deploying anti-air defense systems in Latvia, either through training or rotation.
“It would be extremely necessary at the moment, while we do not have these systems.” And, of course, also invariably increasing the U.S. military's presence. If there is rotation, then when one rotation concludes and the next comes. This is particularly important,” Mūrniece said.
