Since August 1991 when Latvia regained their independence, extensive co-operation with our neighbours Estonia and Lithuania has always been among the main priorities of Latvia's foreign and security policy. The co-operation on defence issues is one of the most successful areas.
Institutional framework
Baltic Assembly which is made up of deputies from national parliaments, was the first inter-Baltic institution dealing with security and defence issues. It meets twice a year on rotating basis and has a consultative and co-ordinating role. Decisions are prepared by Security and Foreign Affairs committee.
(more information: http://www.am.gov.lv/en/?id=4602 and http://www.am.gov.lv/en/?id=4600)
Baltic Council of Ministers represents the inter-governmental branch of Baltic co-operation. In this framework meetings of prime ministers, ministers of foreign affairs and other ministers responsible for all branches of government take place. It has two permanent working bodies for security and defence issues- Committee of Foreign Affairs and Committee of Defence and Peacekeeping. In this framework meetings of prime ministers, ministers of foreign affairs and other ministers responsible for all branches of government take place. It has two permanent working bodies for security and defence issues- Committee of Foreign Affairs and Committee of Defence and Peacekeeping.
(more information: http://www.am.gov.lv/en/?id=4602 and http://www.am.gov.lv/en/?id=4600)
The Baltic Council meeting once a year is a joint session of the Baltic Assembly and Baltic Council of Ministers where Council of Ministers reports to the Assembly on current stage of co-operation and future plans. meeting once a year is a joint session of the Baltic Assembly and Baltic Council of Ministers where Council of Ministers reports to the Assembly on current stage of co-operation and future plans.
This institutional framework is complemented by close bi- and trilateral political relations among the national foreign, security and defence policy bodies- Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Ministries of Defence and the General Staffs. No less than twice a year common defence and security issues are discussed also in the traditional summits of the three Presidents.
Military co-operation among the three states is overseen and directed through the following mechanism:
Ministerial Committee (MC) consisting of Ministers of Defence gives political guidance and takes major decisions on trilateral defence co-operation.
Baltic Military Committee (BMC) consisting of the Commanders of Armed Forces embodies the highest military authority, implements the decisions of the Ministers, provides military assessment of the common projects and makes recommendations for further development. (MC) consisting of Ministers of Defence gives political guidance and takes major decisions on trilateral defence co-operation.
Baltic Military Committee (BMC) consisting of the Commanders of Armed Forces embodies the highest military authority, implements the decisions of the Ministers, provides military assessment of the common projects and makes recommendations for further development.
To accomplish their tasks MC and the BMC establish special subordinated working bodies- Joint Working Groups consisting of the civilian and military representatives from each national MOD and General Staff. They prepare administrative arrangements, review and examine the development plans of joint projects, prepare annual reports, etc.
Joint actions and projects
Trilateral military exercises and those with participation from NATO and PfP countries increase preparedness for possible joint military or peace-keeping missions and represent a valuable opportunity to enhance the interoperability.
Latvia has participated in the peacekeeping missions in the Balkans already since 1996 (206 soldiers (all missions) during 1996-1998). Since 1998, the Baltic Battalion (BALTBAT) has participated in Bosnia - Herzegovina with its own contingent. In total 302 Latvian soldiers (all missions) of the BALTBAT served in SFOR together with the Danish Battalion from October 1998 till February 2002. The Latvian company will return to the Bosnia - Herzegovina in the August 2002. In the meantime several Latvian officers are involved in the mission.
(more information: Latvia's contribution to the international peace missions)
Latvia is active participant of NATO/PfP activities. For example, in 1999 there were 4 main military exercises hosted by Latvia: Cornerstone, Medcor, West Wind in the spirit on PfP and NATO/PfP exercise Co-operative Aura. In 2000, Latvia participated in 218 PfP activities and 13 PfP military exercises. In 2001, Latvia participated in 193 PfP activities, in total covering 19 areas of cooperation within the PfP. Latvia took part in 17 PfP exercises as well (in three of them with units).
In 2002 4 main military exercises will be hosted by Latvia: US Baltops, Open Spirit, Cooperative Tide, Stanavforlant Passex. In total the Latvian Armed Forces is planning to participate in 20 PfP exercises in 2002.
An excellent example of ongoing defence co-operation is a number of joint military projects, which increases not only defence capacity of three states but security in the region as well:
Baltic Battalion BALTBAT, the first joint project, is fully operational and participates in peace-keeping mission.
Baltic Naval Squadron BALTRON participates in mine clearance operations in Baltic Sea.
Baltic Airspace Surveillance Network BALTNET will create a joint air surveillance and data distribution system.
Baltic Defence College BALTDEFCOL is a joint military educational institution which will improve knowledge of senior Baltic staff officers of the armed forces and rise their abilities to work within international units.
Each project has its own multinational political Steering group, where Baltic countries together with supporting nations are represented. The Steering Group is advised by smaller, multinational military Working Group. To facilitate effective co-ordination of Western assistance, the Steering groups gather, once a quarter, at a special Baltic Security Assistance forum BALTSEA, established in late 1997. They are responsible for co-ordination of multinational assistance from supporting countries - Denmark, Finland, Island, Sweden, Norway, Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States and Canada, as well as identify the fields where additional efforts are needed. Once a year in autumn BALTSEA calls also for joint meeting of high level representatives from MOD's and MFAs to evaluate previous co-operation and to discuss further initiatives.
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