(L-R) Yuriko Backes, Luxembourg's Minister of Defence; Andris Misiņš, Chief of Staff of the 3rd Regional Logistics Centre;
Credit: MAE
On Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 October 2024, Luxembourg's Minister of Defence, Yuriko Backes, paid a working visit to Latvia.
Following a joint flower-laying ceremony at the monument to Latvian independence hero Colonel Oskars Kalpaks on Wednesday, Minister Backes was received by her Latvian counterpart Andris Sprūds for a bilateral meeting. As reported by Luxembourg's Directorate of Defence, discussions focused on bilateral defence cooperation, military recruitment challenges, Latvia's concerns about the Russian threat, Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and the role of NATO and the EU in the European security architecture.
"Latvia is located on NATO's eastern flank. My visit here is of particular importance. It symbolises the unity of NATO Allies in the face of the Russian threat. Luxembourg stands alongside Latvia," stated Minister Backes.
On the sidelines of this bilateral meeting, Minister Backes formalised Luxembourg's intention to join the Drone Coalition and contribute around €3 million. This capability coalition, led by Latvia and the United Kingdom, is one of eight capability coalitions formed within the framework of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) in Ramstein. The Drone Coalition provides Ukraine with drones and their components, and supports Ukrainian manufacturers.
That same day, Minister Backes visited the NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence (StratCom COE), where she was welcomed by its director, Jănis Sărts. This NATO centre of excellence focuses on improving the strategic communication capability of the Alliance and its member states, by offering analyses of the information environment.
"In times of proliferation of artificial intelligence, misinformation, disinformation and foreign influence operations and manipulation of information, strategic communication is crucial to secure our democracies," stressed Luxembourg's Minister of Defence.
On Thursday, Minister Backes visited the Ădaži military base. Luxembourg's Directorate of Defence funded the construction of the barracks blocks at this base, which hosts NATO's Multinational Brigade of NATO's Forward Land Forces, with €3 million.
Minister Backes commented: "I am proud that Luxembourg has contributed to this effort. NATO battlegroups on the flank are an important sign of our solidarity and determination - they show Russia that NATO countries will stand together."
