According to Mr. Dzintars Rasnačs, Deputy Head of the Latvian delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (PA), economic and energy security are the cornerstones of global security, and it is precisely these issues which are turning into the major future challenges for NATO. They will be some of the most significant non-military security issues which will be discussed at the NATO PA Spring Session in Riga at the end of May. 

“Poverty is one of the main threats to global security because it creates considerable social tension in many countries, including some of those bordering with NATO member states. Therefore, poverty alleviation is the first and paramount non-military task that needs to be accomplished by NATO. Economic security is the very basis of global security. NATO member states get involved in solving these issues by taking part in programmes for economy support and infrastructure development,” pointed out the Deputy Head of the Latvian delegation to the NATO PA. 

“For example, the current economic crisis increases the poverty level in NATO member states themselves; it also entails various additional risks which damage democracy, the rule of law, and security. All these issues are closely connected,” said Mr. Rasnačs, who sits on the Committee on Economics and Security of the NATO PA.

During the Riga Session, parliamentarians from NATO and associated countries will focus on risks related to economic security that NATO is bound to face in the future. At the panel discussions, participants of the Session will discuss the influence of long-term economic changes on the global balance of power, global-recession-powered increase of security risks in emerging economies, the impact of the international financial crisis on Central and East European countries, as well as other issues.

MPs will also discuss the energy security of NATO member states. The Deputy Head of the delegation emphasised: “The fight for energy resource production and markets is currently one of the biggest challenges to global security. The one that controls energy resources will have enormous clout. If they are controlled by a country which disregards the principles of democracy and the rule of law, that will be a potential threat to international security.” Mr. Rasnačs also pointed out that during NATO PA sessions and other forums, NATO tries to harmonize the various opinions of its 28 member states so that the Alliance can take a common position on these crucial issues.

The NATO PA 2010 Spring Session will be held from 28 May to 1 June 2010 in Riga, Latvia, at the Kipsala International Exhibition Centre.

The NATO Parliamentary Assembly is a consultative interparliamentary organisation founded in 1955 which unites parliamentarians from member states of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. The NATO PA provides an essential link between NATO and parliaments of the NATO member states in helping to build parliamentary and public consensus in support of Alliance policies.

For more information on the NATO PA and its Spring Session, please visit the website of the 2010 Spring Session of the NATO PA at www.natopariga.lv and the official website of the NATO PA at www.nato-pa.int.

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