Latvian FM believes EU defense cooperation should complement NATO, avoid overlap

Defense cooperation among the EU member states should complement NATO, avoiding at the same time an overlap of functions and capabilities, Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics said on Friday.

Rinkevics, who participated in a meeting with the Latvian parliament European affairs committee on Friday, told lawmakers that considering Latvia's contribution to NATO, the Baltic country does not plan additional investments in the EU's defense cooperation.

Calling for a balance in defense spending, the foreign minister noted that Latvia cooperates with the bloc's other countries in accordance with the approved planning documents.

Rinkevics outlined this position, when answering to MP Igors Pimenovs' question about Latvia's defense spending plans.

The minister told members of the parliamentary committee that at the upcoming meeting of EU foreign ministers, he will call for boosting resilience against hybrid threats and strengthening strategic communication and cybersecurity.

The Latvian parliament European affairs committee met on Friday to debate issues on the agenda of upcoming EU ministerial meetings, the parliamentary press service said. Endit