On 17 September, President Edgars Rinkēvičs, together with President of the Republic of Finland Alexander Stubb, visited Liepāja. As part of the ongoing state visit of the President of Finland to Latvia, particular attention was devoted to the security of the Baltic Sea, and to determined regional and NATO-level action to safeguard the Baltic Sea by restricting the activities of Russia’s “shadow fleet”.
At the Naval Forces Headquarters of the National Armed Forces in Liepāja, both presidents were briefed on the current security situation and on NATO’s enhanced vigilance activity “Baltic Sentry”. President Edgars Rinkēvičs commended the close cooperation between the Latvian and Finnish naval forces in the operational exchange of information between naval operations centres. He also acknowledged Finland's valuable support in strengthening the Latvian Navy’s mine-laying capabilities.
“The reinforced NATO presence in the Baltic Sea as part of NATO's “Baltic Sentry” activities is a clear demonstration of resolute action, responding to incidents in the Baltic Sea and ensuring the effective deterrence of Russia’s “shadow fleet” vessels. At the same time, the European Union must continue to impose sanctions against Russia’s “shadow fleet”, which finances Russia’s war in Ukraine,” emphasised E. Rinkēvičs.
The President of Latvia noted that Latvia and Finland are also close allies within the United Kingdom-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF). The two presidents familiarized themselves with the activities of the Joint Expeditionary Force's exercise “Tarassis”, taking place in September and October in Latvia, Finland and other countries in the Baltic Sea region. These are the most extensive JEF exercises to date, combining a range of military activities to train readiness and interoperability in strengthening regional security.
The presidents of Latvia and Finland were introduced to the progress of the military infrastructure development project at the Port of Liepāja, as well as the training conducted by the Naval Forces Training Centre’s Diving School for divers and underwater mine clearance specialists from both the Baltic States and partner countries.
In Liepāja, President of Finland Alexander Stubb and First Lady Suzanne Innes-Stubb met with representatives of Liepāja City Council and discussed cooperation between the Finnish city of Oulu and Liepāja as the forthcoming European Capitals of Culture in 2026 and 2027. The President of Finland and First Lady also visited the Liepāja Museum and the Holy Trinity Cathedral, which houses a memorial plaque dedicated to the Finnish Jägers, who in 1918 swore allegiance at this very site to their newly established state.
