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Latvia and Denmark share a common understanding of the security situation in Europe and a united vision of the region’s future development. We are committed to working closely together in order to meet challenges and to strengthen our collective defence capabilities, Speaker of the Saeima, Daiga Mieriņa, emphasised during an official reception at the Latvian Parliament in honour of Their Majesties King Frederik X and Queen Mary of Denmark on Tuesday, 28 October.

Highlighting the long-standing and close bilateral relations between Latvia and Denmark, Speaker Mieriņa praised Denmark’s valuable assistance during the difficult 1990s — sharing its reform experience, ideas, and values, as well as investing in Latvia’s development. She also expressed deep gratitude for Denmark’s steadfast support to Latvia’s integration into the European Union and NATO. “Today, we are close partners not only within these organisations, but also in the United Nations and, notably, in the NB8 format. Denmark often represents our entire region on the international stage,” noted the Speaker of the Saeima.

Discussing current security issues, Speaker Mieriņa explained that the Saeima has begun reviewing next year’s national budget, which is shaping up to be a defence-focused budget. Latvia is acting responsibly and decisively in this regard, and by next year, defence spending will approach 5% of GDP. Latvia is grateful to Denmark for its contribution to the security and stability of the Baltic Sea region, noting that a large number of Danish troops play an active role in strengthening Latvia’s defence as part of their NATO mission.

Both sides agreed that, in light of the threats posed by Russia, Europe must accelerate the development of its defence industry. Speaker Mieriņa underlined the formidable challenge that this presents, as current production capacities are insufficient to meet the demand for military equipment, most of which was until recently manufactured outside of Europe. The Saeima speaker stressed the importance of ensuring that defence production is brought back to the continent, so that resources and added value remain there.

The participants also emphasized the need to protect the Baltic Sea, working together to combat Russia’s “shadow fleet”, which not only finances the aggressor’s war machine, but also endangers the marine environment.

Speaker Mieriņa further highlighted the close and multifaceted cooperation between Latvia and Denmark in the fields of economy, science, and culture. Denmark is Latvia’s tenth largest trading partner and eighth largest investor. “Our scientists are jointly implementing projects in quantum, space, and artificial intelligence technologies,” she noted, underscoring the cooperation potential and pointing to the establishment this year of the Latvian Artificial Intelligence Centre as a strong platform for future collaboration.

Joining Speaker Mieriņa at the meeting with Their Majesties were Deputy Saeima Speakers Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica and Antoņina Ņenaševa, Secretary of the Saeima Edvards Smiltēns, Deputy Secretary Jānis Grasbergs, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee Ināra Mūrniece, and Chair of the Saeima Cooperation Group with the Danish Parliament Andris Šuvajevs.

Their Majesties the King and Queen of Denmark were accompanied on their visit by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Troels Lund Poulsen, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Lars Løkke Rasmussen.

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Saeima Press Service