Latvia signs Letter of Intent on naval mine cooperation in the Baltic Sea region

On 10 July, during the NATO Washington Summit, Latvia signed the Letter of Intent on naval mine cooperation in the Baltic Sea region (Naval Mines Baltic Sea).

“In view of current geopolitical challenges, naval mines must be integrated in the defence of Latvia’s territorial waters and exclusive economic zone along the coastline. Our national armed forces must focus on strengthening mine laying capabilities. We are looking forward to building and developing inter-operable naval mine systems with allies.  Initiative proposed by Germany offers extensive opportunities for standardisation of naval mine systems and capabilities around the Baltic Sea,” Defence Minister Andris Sprūds explained.

Letter of Intent, signed by ten countries, commits Latvia, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Lithuania, Norway, Poland and Sweden to closer cooperation in the field of naval mines across the Baltic Sea region. 

The aim of the Letter of Intent is to strengthen regional cooperation in the field of naval mine laying, including joint procurement of naval mines, logistics, data exchange, training and continuous development of naval mine capabilities.

As reported earlier, summit of heads of state and government of NATO member states is taking place on 9-11 July in Washington, United States. Meeting of the NATO leaders is focused on discussion and decisions aimed at further strengthening of Alliance’s defence capabilities. 

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