The United States is an important partner for Latvian businesses, economic cooperation, including in the energy sector, and for national defence as a whole. This was underlined by Jānis Grasbergs, Deputy Secretary of the Saeima, on Tuesday, 19 August, during a meeting at the Saeima with U.S. Congressman Andrew Harris, who is on a visit in Latvia this week. Also present at the meeting was Irma Kalniņa, Chair of the Saeima Group for Promoting Cooperation with the U.S. Congress, and Jānis Patmalnieks, Member of the Group.
Jānis Grasbergs underlined that in recent years, many Latvian companies have shifted their focus from the East towards the West due to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. This reorientation of business towards the West and the United States is a significantly beneficial for both countries.
In the energy sector, fundamental changes have taken place. While Latvia used to depend on energy resources imported from the East, it now purchases natural gas from the United States and other western partners, noted Grasbergs. In a short period of time, Latvia has greatly transformed its gas supply: in 2023, 50 percent of natural gas imports came from the United States, reaching 75 percent this year.
Saeima MPs highlighted that Latvia has become fully independent of Russian energy, which is also now a matter of national security. Renewable energy sources play an important role—for instance, the European Union is highly competitive in wind energy.
In terms of economic cooperation, MPs underlined that Latvia has developed drone technologies, and there is considerable support from the United States for Latvian businesses in this sector.
Meeting attendees also discussed security and defence issues, noting that NATO is currently one of the most important organisations in the world. Congressman Harris affirmed that the defence of the Baltics is a priority for the United States, pointing to the support of the U.S. Congress for the Baltic Security Initiative, which has contributed to the development of Latvia’s defence capabilities and the strengthening of NATO’s eastern flank. The Congressman welcomed Latvia’s defence spending, which is set to reach five percent of national GDP next year.
Members of the Saeima once again stressed that the United States is a close ally, and that in the current geopolitical situation this cooperation must be strengthened as never before.
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Saeima Press Service