Honorable Minister of Defence,
Chief of Defence,
Commander of NATO Multinational Corps NorthEast,
Major General Albinus,
Major General Esseman-Beck,
Generals, officers and soldiers!
Today, we gather here for the Change of Command of the NATO Multinational Division North with the third consecutive commander of the Division in just a few moments to be entrusted with the new responsibilities.
This year, this summer we mark a decade since the historic decision of the 2016 NATO Warsaw Summit of deploying Allied troops to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. This is an enhanced forward presence, that demonstrates Allies' solidarity, determination, and ability to act in response to any aggression.
Within this decade the initial batallion-sized battlegroup has grown to become NATO’s Multinational Brigade in Latvia and together with the Latvian Mechanized Brigade and other allied units under the command of the NATO Multinational Division North now is fully integrated within the NATO’s Force Structure.
Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine and the deterioration of the overall security situation has further added to the significance of the role of the Multi-National Division North and allied troop presence here in Latvia.
Major General Jette Albinus! Since August 2023 you have been a devoted and strong leader of the NATO Multi-National Division North.
You took over the command of the division, when its headquarters here in Camp Ādaži where just being declared fully operational and you have brought it to a new level of high combat-readiness, significantly reinforcing NATO’s collective defence posture. A task that is existential to safeguarding the freedom and security of the whole Alliance.
Readiness is built through daily training, Multinational Division North is an outstanding example of Allied interoperability and strengthened cooperation. NATO’s unity and resolve in action has been showcased through presence and multiple exercises across Latvia.
Let me thank you for your personal contribution to further cementing the division headquarters as an integral element of ensuring continuous command and control of NATO’s defence plans. During your time of service here, you have hosted multiple Allied royalties and heads of state and government. Actually, we have some fun stories to share, but we’ll keep them a secret.The message of the urgency and necessity of timely strategic decisions with less caveats and restrictions to facilitate the operational work has also been well heard and received here in Ādaži, by my colleagues - heads of state and government, and defence ministers. You and your team have brought another level of much needed reassurance to the Latvian society. You have been crystal clear of the resolve to deter the agressor, leaving no doubt of the will to fight back with all the force available.
Reassurance and likewise deterrence never reaches a point of resting on one’s laurels. Building credible deterrence and defence capabilites is a process which requires constant vigilance, adaptation and preparedness, including for the worst case scenario.
Today the incoming Division’s Commander Major General Ulrich Essemann-Beck, warm welcome to Latvia. I express my best wishes to you to pursue the work of the Multinational Division North with all the vigour and strength for the long-term evolution of the Division’s capabilities as a premier warfighting unit.
I also would like to use this opportunity to highlight and appreciate Danish commitment and steadfast leadership of the Division. Denmark’s footprint in securing the North Eastern flank of the Alliance ir remarkable. You can count on Latvia’s firm commitment to do its part as the framework nation of the Multinational Division North. Latvia are investing close to 5% in core defence aimed at capability development and at providing the best possible host nation and training opportunities for all allied troops.
To conclude, Major General Albinus, dear Jette – I wish to convey to you my highest appreciation for your contribution to strengthening both – security of Latvia and of NATO! And I realy want to thank you for your service!
