In November 2006 Latvia will host The NATO Heads of State and Government Summit

In November 2006 Latvia will host The NATO Heads of State and Government Summit

This will be the first Summit after NATO's largest enlargement in 2004, when 7 countries joined the Alliance. It is fitting that the allies picked Riga as their venue, as it highlights the Alliance's new security space.  The Riga Summit gives evidence that Europe is well on its way to completing Europe whole, free and at peace.

Aivis Ronis about NATO

Latvia’s first year as a full member of the Alliance was a challenging one. On becoming one of 7 new members that joined NATO in 2004, Latvia fulfilled one of its principal foreign policy objectives. Never in its turbulent recent history has Latvia enjoyed the level of security as it does now.

Joining NATO in 2004 was a threefold culmination for Latvia

Joining NATO in 2004 was a threefold culmination for Latvia

Joining NATO in 2004 was a threefold culmination for Latvia. Firstly, one of Latvia's main foreign policy goals, enunciated in 1995, was achieved. Secondly, Latvia became more secure than at any time during the history of the country. Thirdly, it was the culmination of Latvia's return to the international fold after some 50 years of being denied freedom during the last century.

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Angela Merkel

“NATO is and will remain the main anchor of our common security. It is the central transatatlantic forum for consultation and coordination. In advance of the NATO summit in Riga this November we will have to examine in greater detail the role that NATO should assume in the future, and what consequences the changes to the security environment are to have on the Organization


- Angela Merkel,
German Chancellor

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