Poland and Latvia focus on strengthening defence cooperation. On Wednesday in Warsaw, defence minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz met with his Latvian counterpart Andris Sprūds. Politicians have informed that work is underway on a memorandum on safety policy to set out directions for the improvement of military cooperation.
Today's gathering at the Ministry of Defence was part of the authoritative visit to Poland of the head of Latvian MON Andris Sprūds, who had previously visited 1 of the arms companies. “We know each another very well, we take many joint initiatives. We're friends, we're allies, we can number on each other. For the Latvian and Polish people, what is our common past is of large importance, but the most crucial thing is to guarantee a safe future in our countries, in a solidarity-based Europe – emphasized Deputy Prime Minister Kosiniak-Kamish. He pointed out that Poland is militaryly present in Latvia and would like this presence to be even more visible and that Poland and Latvia increase their skills through joint exercises. He besides stressed the importance of projects that combine both countries in the current reality: the drone wall, operations on the east flank of NATO and east Sentry.
5% of GDP not for 9 but for 4 years
We're here. beneficiaries of SAFE and thank you for declaring your willingness to buy together under this programme, for example Lightning. We will facilitate this, we will increase our production capacity – the head of the MON assured and pointed out that at the same time as the Defence Ministers of Poland and Latvia met in Warsaw, in Riga a typical of the Polish Armed Forces Group spoke with representatives of the Latvian arms industry. – These are tangible effects of our action: the improvement of the arms manufacture and increased defence spending. Poland and Latvia are at the forefront of NATO states in this respect,” Kosiniak-Kamish said. He stated that it was essential to accelerate and scope the 5% of GDP on defence not in 2035 but in 2030. – It is very crucial for us to scope this level as shortly as possible, due to the fact that these are our real abilities. We've been together. decision to terminate the Ottawa Convention on the usage of anti-personnel mines. Latvia has already done so, and in Poland the six-month period after submitting the application will be 20 February. The full northeastern flank of NATO has declared the Ottawa Convention not to attack anyone, but to always defend its territory. I would like to assure the Minister that we will meet all the obligations of Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty on common defence. Poland is simply a loyal ally and will meet its commitments – the Deputy Prime Minister assured.
There will be a memorandum
As Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz announced, both ministers besides decided to start work on a fresh memorandum – a safety policy agreement to be signed in a fewer weeks. He besides recalled that Latvia is the leader of the drone coalition, which besides includes Poland, and declared to increase its contribution to the construction of drone capabilities.
“Everything that Poland and Latvia do together strengthens common relations and security,” said Minister Andris Sprūds. “We appreciate the presence of the Polish Army in Latvia and share the view that NATO is to be strong and must invest in defence. Latvia reached a threshold of 4.91% of GDP on defence this year, and in the following year it will be 5% of GDP," added Latvian policies. He besides stated that Poland is highly valued as a associate of the drone coalition. “Today I besides visited drone manufacturers in Poland and I see quite a few possibilities for working together”, said Sprūds. Finally, he stressed that the memorandum would show how Poland and Latvia would jointly strengthen defence. “We appreciate strategical partnership very much, Poland is and will be our ally. Thank you very much for your cooperation so far. We want to make this – concluded the head of the Latvian MON.
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