Competence of the National Security Council
The National Security Council coordinates a unified national security policy implemented by the highest state officials and institutions, reviews its development and associated challenges, and considers plans and policy concepts relating to national security. For example, the National Security Council participates in the development and approval of concepts and plans aimed at preventing threats to the state and provides opinions on the National Security Concept, the State Defence Concept, the National Security Plan, and the State Defence Plan.
The National Security Council submits proposals to the Saeima regarding the appointment and dismissal of the Director of the Constitution Protection Bureau.
Decisions of the National Security Council are advisory in nature and do not relieve responsible officials of accountability for the decisions they make, except in relation to the Council’s proposals to the Saeima concerning the appointment and dismissal of the Director of the Constitution Protection Bureau.
The National Security Council is chaired by the President of the State, who convenes its meetings. The members of the Council are:
- The President of Latvia;
- The Speaker of the Saeima;
- The Chairperson of the Saeima National Security Committee;
- The Chairperson of the Saeima Defence, Internal Affairs and Corruption Prevention Committee;
- The Prime Minister;
- The Minister of Defence;
- The Minister of Foreign Affairs;
- The Minister of the Interior;
The Prosecutor General is entitled to participate in meetings of the Council. Heads of the state security institutions may be invited to attend meetings of the National Security Council in an advisory capacity.
The National Security Council has the authority to request information held by state security institutions concerning the interests of national security.
Establishment of the National Security Council
From 1990 to 1993, the State Defence Council operated to coordinate the protection of the Latvian State and its population. It was chaired by the Chairman of the Supreme Council. Following the full restoration of the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia and the establishment of the institution of the President of the Republic of Latvia, the State Defence Council ceased its activities. This created a need for an institution capable of coordinating and harmonising national security matters at the national level. In the latter half of 1993, work commenced on the developing Latvia’s conceptual national security documents.
The National Security Council began its activities in December 1993, when the National Security Council Law entered into force. On 27 December 1993, the first version of the National Security Council Regulations was approved. At the end of 1994, the Saeima adopted the Law on State Defence, which became the legal basis for the Council’s activities. Since the beginning of 2001, the activities of the National Security Council have been governed by the National Security Law, the Law on State Security Institutions, and other laws of the Republic of Latvia.
Organisation of the National Security Council’s work
In January 1995, the National Security Council decided to instruct the Minister of Defence to establish the Secretariat of the National Security Council in order to provide organisational support for the Council’s activities.
Since 2002, the activities of both the National Security Council and its Secretariat have been supported by the Chancery of the President of Latvia. The work of the Secretariat is directed by the President’s Adviser on National Security, who also serves as Secretary of the National Security Council.
Meetings of the Council are held in closed session, and the discussions conducted therein constitute a state secret. By means of a specific decision of the National Security Council, meetings may be held in public. Decisions of the Council are adopted by an absolute majority vote.
The Secretariat of the National Security Council organises and records the proceedings of Council meetings, administers and coordinates the circulation of the Council’s documentation, and facilitates cooperation with state security and other institutions.