On 16 February, during a meeting at the Riga Castle with the Minister for the Interior, Rihards Kozlovskis, President Edgars Rinkēvičs discussed progress in strengthening Latvia’s eastern border, the implementation of civil protection measures and dialogue with municipalities. He also addressed Latvia's situation in the context of European Union migration policy.
With regard to the situation on Latvia’s eastern border with Russia and Belarus, the President positively assessed the border infrastructure development completed in 2025. At the same time, E. Rinkēvičs emphasised the importance of continuing the introduction of technological solutions and enhancing inter-agency cooperation to ensure effective border protection, implement counter-mobility measures and strengthen the border from a military perspective. The President also informed the Minister that he intends to visit the Latvia–Russia border in the near future.
During the meeting, significant attention was also devoted to staffing levels within the structures of the Ministry of the Interior, including in light of the findings and recommendations of the State Audit Office’s report “How to ensure a sufficient number of police officers?”
The discussion also addressed Latvia’s position in the context of the European Union’s common migration policy. “The Ministry of the Interior must continue its active dialogue with the European Commission on the practical implementation of the solidarity mechanism and the application of the obligations set out therein to Latvia,” emphasised President Rinkēvičs.
