On Sunday, 26 July, Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, Deputy Speaker of the Saeima, and a group of Saeima MPs met with a delegation of the U.S. Congress, led by Congressman Ken Calvert, Chair of the Defence Subcommittee of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee to discuss security developments in Latvia and the Baltic region, strengthening NATO’s deterrence capabilities, transatlantic ties, and support for Ukraine.

“The USD 99.9 million in support received by Latvia last year for the procurement of armaments perfectly illustrates the importance of cooperation with the U.S. Congress. We are especially grateful to the Defence Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee for its tremendous support. We would like to further deepen parliamentary cooperation between Latvia and the United States, particularly in strengthening security and promoting investments in the defence sector,” said Deputy Speaker Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica.

During the meeting, Saeima MPs briefed the U.S. delegation on their assessment of the security situation in the Baltic region, emphasising the threats and challenges posed by Russia and Belarus. The parties also discussed the importance of U.S. leadership within the NATO Alliance and in preserving transatlantic unity, including in providing support for Ukraine and maintaining pressure on Russia.

“The threat posed by Russia calls for long-term solutions. That is why close cooperation between the Baltic States and the U.S. is among the most crucial pillars of security. Latvia will continue to strengthen NATO’s eastern flank and invest in the security of the external border of the Alliance and Europe,” underlined the Deputy Speaker of the Saeima.

The U.S. delegation, including Congressman Ken Calvert, Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defence; as well as Congressmembers Betty McCollum, Jake Ellzey, John Rutherford, Scott Franklin, Nick LaLota, and Norma Torres, is on a one-day visit to Latvia.

All members of the delegation hold key positions in U.S. Congressional committees dealing with appropriations and national security and are actively involved in decision-making on U.S. defence funding and cooperation with allies.

From the Latvian side, the meeting with the U.S. Congressmembers was attended by Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, Deputy Speaker of the Saeima; Jānis Grasbergs, Secretary of the Saeima; Antoņina Ņenaševa, Deputy Secretary of the Saeima; Ainars Latkovskis, Chair of the National Security Committee; Irma Kalniņa, Deputy Chair of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee and Head of the Group for Promoting Cooperation with the Congress of the USA; as well as Saeima MP Jānis Patmalnieks.

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Saeima Press Service