Latvia plans to increase its defense budget to 2% of GDP by 2020. This year, defense spending is expected to account for just 1% of GDP.
However various figures including Defense Minister Raimonds Vejonis, Parliamentary Speaker Inara Mūrniece and even some of Latvia's allies have questioned whether the increase is fast enough given the urgent security situation in the region.
"Taking into account the signals coming from Ukraine and from our borders there is reason for the government to take a decision to increase the defense budget more rapidly," Reirs told Latvian Radio.
The issue could be taken up in August, Reirs said, while work is done on forming next year's budget.
NATO, of which Latvia is a member, is urging members to spend at least 2% of GDP on defense.
Currently Estonia is the only country in Eastern Europe that does so.
