Riga (The Brussels Morning Newspaper) – EU High Representative, Josep Borrell Fontelles and Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, agreed that persistent support to Ukraine and preventing Russia will be needed in the long term.
On 20 July 2024, in a discussion with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, the Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, thanked him for his tireless support to Ukraine and his peace and stability measures in Europe. The EU High Representative has reached Latvia on a working visit.
What Measures Are Needed to Prevent Russia’s Aggression?
The Foreign Minister stressed that the EU must be united and constant in its position and continue to deliver timely support – military, financial and political – to Ukraine in the fight against the Russian attack. Baiba Braže stressed the need to strengthen EU-NATO collaboration to respond to global geopolitical challenges, including in Ukraine. “A problem for the international community is Russia, whose policy is fighting. Together, we must make every effort, including the broadening of sanctions against Russia and also Belarus, and enforcing the existing ones effectively, so that Russia is not capable of restoring its military capacity and capabilities, as that would pose a threat to the EU and NATO.”
What Did Baiba Braže Emphasize About Sanctions Against Russia?
Baiba Braže ranked positively on the 14th round of sanctions authorised against Russia and the 8th round of sanctions against Belarus. At the same time, she highlighted the urgent and timely need for the EU to operate towards the next round of sanctions.
How Is Latvia Enforcing Sanctions at the EU’s Eastern Border?
At the session, Baiba Braže counselled Josep Borrell on her two-day journey to the eastern border of Latvia, the EU and NATO, where she saw the customs and border control posts on the route to Russia – Terehova – and to Belarus – Pāternieki. The Minister emphasised the enormous contribution and hard work accomplished by Latvia and its responsible authorities to effectively enforce the sanctions imposed and control their circumvention via effective control at the external border of the EU and NATO.
“The security of the EU’s eastern border is necessary– it is the first security line protected by the responsible services of Latvia. Currently, work is moving on under the conditions of advanced intensity – it calls for both financial and human resources. In addition, 80% of the cargoes crossing the boundaries into Russia and Belarus are not from Latvia, but other EU nations. Currently, Latvia is shouldering the duty of sanctions control, while this burden should be disseminated among all EU Member States,” Baiba Braže illustrated.
The officials arranged that more stringent controls involving goods to be delivered should be ensured in their nations of origin and declaration. Josep Borrell indicated that Baiba Braže informed foreign ministers at the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on Monday, 22 July, of what she had seen and realised during her visit. The meeting also included a debate on the situation in the Middle East.
