Aivis Ronis, Former Ambassador to 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.

In turn, Latvia is fully committed to the Alliance’s future as the pre-eminent collective security organization in the world. In its first year as a member Latvia has made its contribution to the Alliance’s various operations and missions and has sought to strengthen NATO as it meets the challenges of the 21st century.

As the first year of membership drew to a close Latvia was honoured when it was chosen to host the 2006 NATO summit of heads of state and government. Latvia haAivis s fully assumed its place among the NATO nations.