On 14 October, President Edgars Rinkēvičs met at Riga Castle with current and former commanders of the Michigan National Guard of the United States of America (USA) and the Latvian National Armed Forces, who have contributed to the development of cooperation over more than thirty years.
“Cooperation between the Latvian National Armed Forces and the Michigan National Guard has been very successful since 1993. Each of you can be proud of what has been achieved both in developing our armed forces and in contributing to closer cooperation between Latvia and the United States of America. I thank all the officers of the Michigan National Guard for your contribution to our military training under the partnership programme between our two countries,” the President emphasised during the meeting, which was also attended by the Ambassador of the United States of America Melissa Argyros.
The meeting took place as part of a project exploring the history of Michigan and Latvia. Participants included the current Adjutant General of the Michigan National Guard, Major General Paul D. Rogers, and former commanders, as well as Commander of the Latvian National Armed Forces Lieutenant General Kaspars Pudāns and former commanders.
For information: On 27 April 1993, Latvia and the United States signed an agreement on cooperation under the State Partnership Programme. The aim was to help develop the Latvian National Armed Forces, initially focusing particular attention on the development of the National Guard of the Republic of Latvia.
Since the beginning of this cooperation, Latvian and US military personnel have participated jointly in international peacekeeping operations, training for commanders, soldiers and instructors, and international military exercises in both Latvia and the United States.
