Chronology of Co-operation between Latvia and NATO 1999

02.12.2014. 19:09

Chronology of Co-operation between Latvian and NATO 1999

1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004

1999
December 20 Regular session of Latvia's NATO Integration Council takes place. During session Council judged results of Latvia's NATO policy in 1999 and discussed main tasks of year 2000. Council accepted report on fulfilment of Latvia's NATO Integration Plan for 1999.
 
November 30 - December 3 Visit to the United States of America of security policy experts from Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defence headed by acting Secretary of State of Ministry of Defence Janis Sarts. During the visit Latvian delegation informed representatives of Congress and government institutions - State Department, Pentagon, National Security Council as well as NGOs about Latvia's Membership Action Plan for year 2000 and discuss possibilities of practical co-operation. There were meetings with leaders of Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian origin communities concerning possible co-operation.
 
November 16 Latvian-NATO meeting with the General Political Committee of the Alliance within the 19+1 framework is held in NATO Headquarters. Latvia was represented by State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Mr. Maris Riekstins and acting State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence of Latvia Mr. Janis Sarts. During the meeting Latvia's NATO Membership action Plan 2000 was discussed. This direct dialogue with NATO member states is part of the Membership Action Plan process initiated during the NATO Washington Summit. NATO members positively regarded the Action Plan of Latvia that makes it a serious candidate for membership in the Alliance and expressed their gratitude for Latvia's contribution in the NATO peace-keeping operations in the Balkan region. The NATO countries also gave a positive evaluation to the commitment of Latvia to increase the defence budget up to 2% of the GDP till 2003. The Latvian delegation explained the economic basis of the commitment.
 
October 29 Regular political consultations of Latvia and Poland are held in Warsaw. During the consultations the officials discussed the experience of Poland in preparing to the membership in NATO as well as analysed Latvia's NATO Membership Action Plan 2000.
 
October 27 The State Secretary of the Foreign Ministry Mr. Maris Riekstins meets with the State Defence Minister of France Mr. Jean-Pierre Massaret. During the meeting the officials discussed the issues related to the development of European security and defence policy. Both parties were unanimous that this development should not endanger the significance of the NATO and the transatlantic link. The contribution of Latvia in the security promotion processes in Europe as well as Latvia's way to NATO was discussed.
 
October 26 The President of Latvia Mrs. Vaira Vike-Freiberga meets with the NATO Secretary General Mr. George Robertson in the NATO Headquarters in Brussels. The President of Latvia is the first leader of the NATO candidate states meeting Mr. Robertson after he has taken up the post of the Secretary General. During the meeting the President of Latvia and the NATO Secretary General discussed a number of important issues, including the NATO enlargement process and the evaluation of Latvia's NATO Membership Action Plan 2000, as well as the issues concerning the funding of Latvia's defence system. Lord Robertson noted that the decision on the order of further NATO enlargement would be taken in 2002, when NATO member states will reach an agreement on a political level. The NATO Secretary General emphasised that the Plan plays a decisive role in the modernisation and restructuralization of the armed forces of Latvia in accordance with the NATO standards and that the NATO would practically support, provide advice and follow the implementation of the Membership Action Plan.
 
October 20 The Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Indulis Berzins meets the US Department of Defence Special Assistant to the Deputy Under Secretary of the Army (International Affairs), for the NATO Major General Joseph G. Garrett. The officials discussed the issues related to the EU and NATO enlargement as well as other processes, influencing the security of Europe. The representative of the Pentagon ascertained the interest and readiness of the USA to help Latvia to prepare for the membership in the NATO. The General appreciated Latvia's contribution to the settlement of the recent crisis in the territory of former Yugoslavia that has proved Latvia's readiness to contribute to the security and not only consume it. Mr. Garrett remarked on the significance of Latvia's military preparedness, thus creating preconditions for the accession to the NATO, and expressed his support to Latvia's commitment to raise the defence budget to 2% of the GDP.
 
October 20 The Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Indulis Berzins meets with the British General Sir Garry Johnson, Head of the Group of International Military Advisers. Mr. Berzins informed Sir Johnson on Latvia's progress in the field of euroatlantic integration as well as the Progress Report on Latvia recently published by the European Commission where Latvia's progress in implementing the Copenhagen Criteria, especially pointing out the progress in the field of economic policy and implementation of reforms. During the meeting main attention was paid to Latvia's NATO Membership Action Plan 2000. Sir Johnson highly appreciated the work that has been performed in elaborating the MAP, at the same time pointing out the significance of the practical implementation of the Plan.
 
October 13 - 15 A team of security policy experts from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defence visites Great Britain, Germany and France in order to inform the officials of these NATO member states about Latvia's NATO Membership Plan 2000. Special briefings for the officials of foreign affairs and defence institutions on Latvia's approach to the elaboration of the Membership Action Plan, its contents and planned implementation were organised in all three countries. The Action Plan of Latvia as well as those of the other Baltic States were considered to be well-prepared, transparent and realistic. The representatives of the NATO member states voiced their readiness to provide Latvia with permanent consultations and concrete advice and suggestions on the implementation of measures included in the Plan during the process of it implementation. It was emphasised that the implementation process of the Membership Action Plan will show the level of maturity and preparedness of the candidate countries.
 
October 12 In the NATO headquarters in Brussels the Latvian-NATO seminar on the political and economic issues of Latvia's NATO Membership Action Plan 2000 is organised. The delegation of Latvia is headed by the State Under-secretary of the Foreign Ministry Mr. Andris Kesteris. During the meeting the officials analysed Latvia's progress in the political and economic sphere, including the issues related to the security of Baltic States, regional co-operation, integration of the society, relations with neighbouring countries. Great attention was paid to the economic development of Latvia, issues of the defence budget in the period till 2003 as well as the progress towards the accession to the EU. The meeting was actually another assertion of Latvia's compliance with the political and economic criteria of a NATO member state.
 
October 1 Political consultations between Latvia and Romania take place in Bucharest during which the NATO enlargement process and preparation of both candidate countries for the membership in the Alliance, including Latvia's NATO Membership Action Plan was discussed.
 
September 30 The representatives of the Foreign and Defence Ministries of Latvia organise an informative meeting for the ambassadors of the NATO member states to Latvia in order to present to them Latvia's NATO Membership Action Plan 2000.
 
September 27 The representatives of the Foreign and Defence Ministries from the countries involved in the forum for the support to the Baltic States security BALTSEA meet in London. During the meeting the development of common defence projects of the Baltic States and the support of donor countries is discussed. The officials also discussed the gradual transfer of managerial and financial responsibilities to the Baltic States. According to their decision the presiding country of the BALTSEA in 2000 will be Sweden.
 
September 21 The Government of Latvia accepts the draft law on Financing of the Defence Budget. The draft law envisages gradual increase of the defence budget that would reach 2% of the GDP till 2003, thus ensuring improvement of Latvia's capacity of self-defence and development of the interoperability with the armed forces of the NATO member states.
 
September 16 The Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Indulis Berzins meets the NATO Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe (DSACEUR) General Sir Rupert Smith. The General gets acquainted with the purposeful work of Latvia performed in order to prepare for the membership in NATO, Latvia's NATO Membership Action Plan 2000 and plans to increase the defence budget in order to reach 2% of the GDP till 2003.
 
September 13 NATO Integration Council of Latvia confirms the Latvia's NATO Membership Action Plan 2000 and orders to submit it to the NATO.
 
September 9-10 The President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Mr.Javier Ruperez, visits Latvia. Mr. Ruperez met with the highest officials of Latvia and Members of Parliament. During the visit the issues of Latvia's preparation for accession to NATO, the development of Latvia's defence and the National Armed Forces, as well as the Membership Action Plan process commenced at the Washington Summit were discussed. Mr. Ruperez stressed that in the period after the Kosovo crisis NATO's interest in the Baltic States has not diminished. The NATO enlargement will continue and no country outside NATO has a veto on this issue.
 
September 1 The Committee of Senior Officials of Latvia's NATO Integration Council completes its work on Latvia's NATO Membership Action Plan 2000 and presented it for approval at the Council.
 
August 19 Consultations of the Foreign and Defence ministry experts take place in Riga concerning the development of their Membership Action Plans. At the consultations, the Baltic States presented to each other their approach in the development of the Plan and exchanged information envisaged in the Plan. It is decided to continue such close co-operation in the framework of the NATO Membership Action Plan also in future.
 
August 18 Latvian-Norwegian Consultations by Foreign and Defence ministry experts take place in Oslo concerning Latvia's NATO Membership Action Plan 2000. The parties exchanged views on the issues necessary to be included in Latvia's Plan.
 
August 12 Latvian-Czech Consultations by Foreign and Defence ministry experts take place in Prague concerning Latvia's NATO Membership Action Plan 2000. The parties exchanged views on the issues necessary to be included in Latvia's Plan.
 
August 6 The Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Indulis Berzins sent a letter to George Robertson, Secretary of Defence of the United Kingdom, congratulating him on his appointment as the NATO Secretary General. "I am convinced that the rich political experience will allow you to successfully deal with the challenges that NATO is to face, and successfully lead the Alliance into the next century", Mr. Berzins wrote. In the letter, the Minister also expressed his satisfaction that one of the priorities of the new Secretary General is further enlargement of the Alliance. "I hope that we will have close and intensive co-operation on this issue as well as on all other issues to be solved together by the Alliance and the Partners," the Foreign Minister wrote.
 
July 28-29 NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe - (SACEUR) General Wesley Clark visits Latvia, during which he thankes Latvia for its support in resolution of Kosovo crisis and affirmed that notwithstanding the Kosovo crisis the attention of the Alliance towards the Baltic States is maintained.
 
July 16 Second US - Baltic Partnership Commission meeting takes place where the participants praise the co-operation of the Baltic States and their contribution to the resolution of the crisis in the Balkans, as well as remarke the achievements of each country in the development of defence capabilities. The Baltic States were assured that the crisis in Southern Europe will not restrict the possibility for the countries of Northern Europe to receive invitation to join NATO. In the Communique signed by all participating states, the United States underline that the assistance provided by the Baltic States will be taken into consideration, reviewing the candidatures of the Baltic States in the context of further NATO enlargement. United States committed themselves to actively assist the Baltic States in their preparations to join NATO, as well as indicated to the necessity for each country to increase the defence budget to 2%.
 
July 12 Latvia receives an official invitation from NATO Secretary General H.Solana to participate in the NATO-led peace force in Kosovo (KFOR).
 
July 10 The meeting of the Ministers of Defence of the Nordic countries, Baltic States and the United States takes place in Oslo. During the meeting, the Minister of Defence of the United States William Cohen stresses that geographical location of states does not determine the possibility of those statesbeing invited to join NATO. All candidate states will have to fulfil the requirements set forth, where great importance will be attached to the defence expenditure.
 
June 29 The government acceptes National Defence Concept, which creates a common foundation for the development of the armed forces structure and planning both at peace and war time. The conception provides that intensive co-operation among the Baltic States and their armed forces is one of the basic elements of strengthening and guaranteeing Latvia's security.
 
June 20-23 The Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Valdis Birkavs participates in the XVI International NATO Conference on political and military issues, which take place in Budapest. The participants at the conference expressed great interest in the Baltic States and their efforts to integrate in the Alliance. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia was elected Member of the Board of the Conference. This is the first time for a participants from any one of the Baltic States to be elected Member of the Board of this prestigious international conference.
 
June 16 Fifth meeting of the NATO Integration Council takes place. The officials supported the plan to increase the defence budget up to 1,2% of the GDP in the year 2000. Also, further increase of defence budget was discussed. The Council approved Latvia's participation in the NATO-led peacekeeping force in Kosovo (KFOR) and decided to form a Senior Officials Committee which would adjust Latvia's NATO Integration Plan to the requirements of Membership Action Plan.
 
June 14-15 During the meeting in Riga of Defence Ministers of Baltic and Nordic states, the Protocol on Baltic States Defence College BALTDEFCOL and the status of its personnel is signed. BALTDEFCOL started to operate in September 1999, and its students are military officers at the level of battalion and brigade commanders. In future, also political officers connected with state security and defence policy will be able to study there.
 
June 14 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs State Secretary Mr.Maris Riekstins meets NATO Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs Mr. Klaus-Peter Klaiber. During the discussion Mr. Klaiber noted his appreciation for Latvia's support to the Alliance during the Kosovo crisis. The Deputy Secretary General also expressed his appreciation also of Latvia's decision to send a medical unit to aid the Kosovar refugees, the humanitarian aid provided and Latvia's offer to designate forces necessary to NATO for further crisis management activities. Mr. Klaiber indicated also that the Washington Summit document remarks the progress achieved by the progress achieved by the Baltic States, Latvia included, on their way to the accession to the Alliance. The Baltic States will be assisted now by the Membership Action Plan offered by NATO
 
May 10-11 In Bremen, Germany, the Ministerial meeting of the Western European Union takes place. The delegates of the 28 WEU states participated in the meeting. Latvia was represented by the Minister of Defence Mr. Girts Valdis Kristovskis and Ministry of Foreign Affairs Secretary of State Mr. Maris Riekstins. The ministers discussed the situation in Western Balkans. The State Secretary underlined in his intervention that Latvia supports NATO's actions in that region, as well as expressed its support for a diplomatic solution of the conflict. Latvia has within its ability provided humanitarian aid to the civilians of Kosovo who have suffered in the conflict. Latvia has also sent a medical unit to Albania. At the meeting, the Bremen Declaration was approved where the Ministers support the actions of NATO and EU.
 
May 7 In Tartu, Estonia, the meeting of Defence Ministers of the Baltic States, where the parties committed themselves to mutually co-ordinate the co-operation in MAP preparation and decided to create Baltic Management Group in order to strengthen the co-ordination of common multilateral projects on the politico-military level.
 
May 4 NATO Headquarters in Brussels hostes regular Latvia - NATO talks in the framework of the PfP Programme. The Latvian delegation is led by the Director of the Department of Defence Policy at the Ministry of Defence Mr. Janis Sarts. The discussions focused on evaluation of the achievements of Latvia during the two years of the PARP process - achievement of interoperability of Latvia's armed forces with NATO forces, developments in the field of Latvia's defence, structuring of Latvia's forces, interoperability objectives. Certain armed forces units were evaluated which Latvia would be ready to offer for NATO led peacekeeping operations.
 
April 23-24 President Guntis Ulmanis participates in NATO 50th Anniversary Summit in Washington. In the Summit Communique, Latvia is mentioned among the leading candidates, and it is offered in the framework of the Membership Action Plan (MAP) to work out annual action plan for accession to NATO.
 
April 8 Regular Latvian-Polish consultations on security policy issues takes place in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia between the experts of Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence. The delegation of Poland visites Latvia to discuss the issues connected with further NATO enlargement, NATO Washington summit and Latvia's preparation for accession to NATO. Latvia presented to the colleagues from Poland its position on Washington summit and the decisions to be taken there, informed on the progress in Latvia's defence system since previous Latvian- Polish consultations in Autumn last year. Poland informed about its experience in preparation for accession to NATO, the process and specifics of its accession talks, as well as affirmed the commitment of the Alliance to continue the enlargement process and expressed its support to Latvia's efforts to become a NATO member state.
 
March 19 In Athens, Latvia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Valdis Birkavs participates in an international conference organised by the NATO Secretariat General "NATO's Second Half Century", which is dedicated to the 50th Anniversary of the Alliance. The Minister of Foreign Affairs underlined in his intervention that "the Government of Latvia is preparing for accession to NATO. This is reflected in the increase of the defence budget, as well as growing participation of Latvia in NATO led international operations and investments in defence". The Minister underscored that "without the accession of the Baltic States to NATO the enlargement process can not be regarded as completed. In the context of NATO enlargement, the Baltic States are seen as future Allies".
 
March 22 International Military Advisers Group led by Sir Garry Johnson visits Latvia. The Group presentes its report on the work carried out over the last 4 years in the Baltic States and gave its assessment to the development of Latvia's defence system in that period. The report was presented to the President, Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defence and deputies of the Parliament.
 
March 12 Latvia congratulates Poland, Czech Republic and Hungary with their accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and notes on this occasion that operation of these three countries in NATO further strengthens European security and is a decisive step towards the creation of a unique, secure and democratic Europe. Latvia sees NATO as a cornerstone of European security. The accession of Poland, Czech Republic and Hungary to the Alliance is the right choice that will be followed by all three Baltic States.
 
February 24 Prime Minister convenes regular session of Latvia's NATO Integration Council. The Council discusses the implementation of Latvia's NATO Integration Plan, preparation for the Washington Summit and the possible participation of Latvia in the NATO-led operation in Kosovo. The development of Latvia's self-defence capacities was reiterated as the most important field in promotion of the process of Latvia's integration in NATO, paying special attention to the implementation of the recommendations worked out by the US Department of Defence in 1998. The Council recognise that main directions of activity in this field are the formation of NAF according to NATO standards and further reinforcement ability of the Armed Forces to operate within NATO-led multinational forces. The work program for 1999 was approved.
 
February 18 Three Presidents of the Baltic States sign in Tallinn a common statement on the occasion of NATO's 50th Anniversary and Washington Summit meeting where they congratulate NATO and the three new member states on their accession to NATO. They believe that this will promote security in the transatlantic area and they express their conviction that the Baltic States should be included in the next wave of enlargement. The Presidents reiterate that the Baltic States will continue to further develop their present successful trilateral co-operation in the field of defence, as well as co-operation with other Partners.
 
February 1 The Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Valdis Birkavs meets with the Executive Director of the George Marshall European Centre for Security Studies John Otjen to discuss the co-operation between Latvia and the Centre. The Minister expresses satisfaction about the security study courses organised by the Centre in Garmisch-Partnenkirchen. Already 25 officials from Latvia have taken part in different three level courses.

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