Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Meeting with Latvia Minister of Defence Ināra Mūrniece

Secretary Austin lauded Latvia’s robust defense spending and welcomed Latvia’s investment in new capabilities like long-range fires and defense infrastructure.



By Department of Defense news release DoD Washington, D.C. Apr 13, 2023
fallback
Gallery contains 1 image

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III welcomed Latvian Minister of Defence Ināra Mūrniece to the Pentagon on April 13, 2023.

The leaders discussed the strength of the U.S.-Latvia defense relationship and ongoing efforts to support Ukraine.  They discussed shared security interests in Europe, including NATO’s deterrence and defense posture, ahead of the July NATO Summit in Vilnius.  The two look forward to further cooperation both bilaterally and through NATO.

Secretary Austin and Minister Mūrniece exchanged views on Russia’s horrific war against Ukraine.  Secretary Austin thanked Minister Mūrniece for Latvia’s significant military assistance to Ukraine, noting that Latvia is one of the largest contributors to Ukraine relative to the size of its economy.  The leaders emphasized their steadfast commitment to Ukraine as it defends its sovereignty and territorial integrity.  

Secretary Austin also lauded Latvia’s robust defense spending and welcomed Latvia’s investment in new capabilities like long-range fires and defense infrastructure. Secretary Austin and Minister Mūrniece agreed to continue the close cooperation to deepen our defense and security relationship.

More in Media Room
U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II makes historic first on highway in Finland
Read more
IT Systems Security Cooperation Summit: Enhancing integration among Allies, partners
USEUCOM's cyber directorate concluded its 2024 Command, Control, Computers and Communications (C4) Security Cooperation Summit on Aug. 9, 2024, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, after bringing together more than 80 representatives from multiple U.S. organizations to assist in C4 security cooperation planning.
Read more
USS Oscar Austin one of two U.S. Navy DDGS homeport shifting to Rota, Spain
The move will increase the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed operational footprint in EUCOM to five destroyers in Rota, allowing for more operational flexibility within the European theater
Read more
More in Media Room
U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II makes historic first on highway in Finland
Read more
IT Systems Security Cooperation Summit: Enhancing integration among Allies, partners
USEUCOM's cyber directorate concluded its 2024 Command, Control, Computers and Communications (C4) Security Cooperation Summit on Aug. 9, 2024, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, after bringing together more than 80 representatives from multiple U.S. organizations to assist in C4 security cooperation planning.
Read more
USS Oscar Austin one of two U.S. Navy DDGS homeport shifting to Rota, Spain
The move will increase the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed operational footprint in EUCOM to five destroyers in Rota, allowing for more operational flexibility within the European theater
Read more
More in Media Room
U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II makes historic first on highway in Finland
Read more
IT Systems Security Cooperation Summit: Enhancing integration among Allies, partners
USEUCOM's cyber directorate concluded its 2024 Command, Control, Computers and Communications (C4) Security Cooperation Summit on Aug. 9, 2024, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, after bringing together more than 80 representatives from multiple U.S. organizations to assist in C4 security cooperation planning.
Read more
USS Oscar Austin one of two U.S. Navy DDGS homeport shifting to Rota, Spain
The move will increase the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed operational footprint in EUCOM to five destroyers in Rota, allowing for more operational flexibility within the European theater
Read more