Latvia has no plans to reintroduce conscription: top officials

Latvia does not plan to resume military conscription, Prime Minister Laimdota Straujuma and Defence Minister Raimonds Vejonis told journalists Tuesday, commenting on neighbor country Lithuania's plan to draft young men this autumn.

"I believe this issue is not on the agenda today," the Latvian premier said.

Straujuma voiced support for Latvia's professional armed forces, saying it was up to "each country to decide whether to resume conscription".

Latvia is focusing on reinforcing its Home Guard, and many young people are joining the Young Guard, the premier said.

Strauiuma believed neither Latvia, nor the Baltic states are facing threats of a military invasion right now.

"We belong to NATO, which is forming rapid response units, so I do not think there will be a need for young people there. In my opinion, we must concentrate on strengthening our borders," the Latvian prime minister said.

"What we need is modern equipment rather than conscription. This is my opinion," the prime minister said.

"Each country can choose its own path," said Latvian Defence Minister Vejonis, commenting Lithuania's plan to resume conscription for the next five years.

Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite announced Tuesday that Lithuania would resume conscription in the autumn in view of growing threats in the region.

Conscription was abolished in 2006 in Latvia and in 2008 in Lithuania. Endit