MEPs and Latvian Officials Discuss European Security Future in Riga
On May 8, 2026, eleven Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from the EPP Group visited Riga, Latvia, to discuss the future of European security with Latvian policymakers and experts. Organized by the EPP’s Foreign Affairs Working Group, the visit included a conference titled “The Future of European Security: A Perspective from the Eastern Flank.” Key speakers, including MEP Sandra Kalniete and Prime Minister Evika Siliņa, highlighted the critical role of Eastern European countries in strengthening common defense against Russian aggression. They addressed recent hybrid provocations, such as drone intrusions into Latvian airspace, emphasizing that these are not isolated incidents but part of broader threats involving Russia, Belarus, Iran, and North Korea. Participants stressed the need for enhanced military mobility, increased defense investment, and unwavering support for Ukraine. The discussions featured high-level officials like European Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis and Major General Kaspars Pudāns, underscoring the interconnected nature of global crises and the necessity of securing the EU’s eastern flank. The event demonstrated strong solidarity among EU member states, with representatives from Spain, Germany, Poland, and other nations joining Baltic leaders to formulate strategies for regional stability and collective security within NATO and the EU framework.
Wire timeline
MEPs and Latvian Officials Discuss European Security Future in Riga
On May 8, 2026, eleven Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from the EPP Group visited Riga, Latvia, to discuss the future of European security with Latvian policymakers and experts. Organized by the EPP’s Foreign Affairs Working Group, the visit included a conference titled “The Future of European Security: A Perspective from the Eastern Flank.” Key speakers, including MEP Sandra Kalniete and Prime Minister Evika Siliņa, highlighted the critical role of Eastern European countries in strengthening common defense against Russian aggression. They addressed recent hybrid provocations, such as drone intrusions into Latvian airspace, emphasizing that these are not isolated incidents but part of broader threats involving Russia, Belarus, Iran, and North Korea. Participants stressed the need for enhanced military mobility, increased defense investment, and unwavering support for Ukraine. The discussions featured high-level officials like European Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis and Major General Kaspars Pudāns, underscoring the interconnected nature of global crises and the necessity of securing the EU’s eastern flank. The event demonstrated strong solidarity among EU member states, with representatives from Spain, Germany, Poland, and other nations joining Baltic leaders to formulate strategies for regional stability and collective security within NATO and the EU framework.
The Baltic Times