NATO's command center in Latvia put into operation

A permanent command center established by NATO in Latvia has been put into operation, military news website sargs.lv reported Thursday.

NATO defense ministers decided on Feb. 6 to set up the alliance's command and control elements in six Eastern European countries, including Latvia.

Altogether 40 soldiers from the Latvian armed forces and allied countries will be working at the center called NATO Force Integration Unit.

The mission of the command center will be to coordinate allied action in the Baltic region in emergency situations.

Force Integration Unit is NATO's first permanent formation established in Latvia since the Baltic country joined the alliance.

"The mission of the NATO Force Integration Unit is to ensure high-level readiness to expand the alliance's forces in our country, which is why operations will be carried out in collaboration with the (Latvian) Defense Ministry and the national armed forces, as well as other state institutions," said the unit's acting commander Colonel Eriks Naglis. Endite