On 30 July, President Edgars Rinkēvičs met with the Chairman of the Liepāja City Council, Gunārs Ansiņš, at the Jūrmala residence. During the meeting, the parties discussed current issues related to the development of the city of Liepāja, including the enhancement of security and defence infrastructure in Liepāja. The President acknowledged the city’s readiness to assume the title of European Capital of Culture in 2027. President Rinkēvičs also congratulated G. Ansiņš on his re-election as Chairman of the Liepāja City Council and expressed hope that the coming years will be marked by continued economic growth and development for the entire city of Liepāja and its residents.
During the meeting, President of Latvia emphasised the critical importance of the Port of Liepaja in the Baltic Sea region from the perspectives of national security and defence capabilities. “The Port of Liepāja is a critically important hub for military mobility in Latvia and the entire region. Its role will only grow in the coming years, therefore, it is essential to begin strengthening the port’s infrastructure and capacity now. Liepāja Airport also holds civil-military significance, for instance, in supporting search and rescue operations in the Baltic Sea. Close cooperation between the government and the local municipality is vital to ensure the necessary resources for further infrastructure development, including expanding the ability of NATO Allied forces to make use of Liepāja’s advantageous geographical location,” emphasised President Rinkēvičs during the conversation.
It is planned that the President will meet with all newly elected chairs of Latvia’s state city councils in the near future.
