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The Latvian delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA) recently participated in its Annual Session held in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Latvian parliamentarians highlighted the importance of building a drone wall and increasing defence funding. During the plenary sitting of the Assembly, parliamentarians adopted six resolutions, including on preparing NATO for the future of uncrewed warfare, and on solidarity with Ukraine and the imperative for a just and lasting peace. The Latvian delegation also met with Canadian parliamentarians to discuss the current state of cooperation.

The session focused on support for Ukraine and applying the lessons learned from its wartime experience across the transatlantic community, strengthening drone defence capabilities, including the development of a drone wall along NATO’s eastern flank, as well as aligning military industry requirements within the European Union and NATO.

During the Session, Raimonds Bergmanis, Head of the Latvian Delegation, Ainars Latkovskis, Deputy Head of the Delegation, and permanent representatives Irma Kalniņa and Līga Kļaviņa also took part in the work of the Committees, reviewing reports on current issues, including the situation in Ukraine and the continuation of support, threats to the airspace of NATO Member States, the outcomes of the Hague Summit and the commitment to invest 5% of the annual GDP in defence, as well as adapting defence and deterrence capabilities to the current security requirements.

The plenary sitting was also attended by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. He answered questions posed by the members and emphasised the importance of cooperation, unity, responsibility, military capability, and adequate funding, especially as the war in Ukraine is now in its fourth year and Russian aircraft and drones continue to violate NATO airspace. MP Bergmanis, Head of the Latvian Delegation, raised the issue of the drone wall along NATO’s eastern flank, particularly the funding for this project.

The NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA) was established in 1955 as a consultative inter-parliamentary organisation uniting the parliamentarians of the member states of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The PA serves as an important link between NATO and the parliaments of its member states, strengthening the political dialogue and promoting public support for the policies of the Alliance.

During the session, the Assembly’s 2025 “Women for Peace and Security” award was presented to Vjosa Osmani Sadrin, President of Kosovo.

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Saeima Press Service