RIGA, March 27 (LETA) - On March 27, Latvia's Foreign Ministry in cooperation with the Interior Ministry organized a visit to the ambassadors from EU, NATO, and Schengen Area countries accredited to Latvia to the country’s eastern border, LETA learned from the ministry.

The main objective of the visit: to promote understanding of the situation on Latvia’s eastern border and to present the achievements and plans regarding the strengthening of Latvia’s external border as an EU and NATO member state. During the visit, special attention was paid to the hybrid threats posed by Russia and Belarus, as well as to the work of Latvian customs in implementing EU export and sanctions controls, including attempts to circumvent sanctions imposed on Russia and Belarus.

Artjoms Ursulskis, Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized that EU and NATO border states have invested more in security and defense than other EU countries, including by strengthening the EU and NATO’s eastern border - the first line of defense.

"In the current geopolitical reality, we must recognize that without security, there can be no peace or prosperity. Therefore, we must continue to strengthen NATO’s defense and deterrence capabilities on the eastern flank, adapting them to the threats posed by Russia and Belarus," noted Ursulskis.

He emphasized that Latvia takes a highly responsible approach to strengthening the EU and NATO’s eastern border. Work continues on improving infrastructure and implementing tougher control procedures to prevent attempts to circumvent sanctions, halt the flow of illegal migration, and counter various other hybrid warfare activities carried out by Russia and Belarus. Latvia expects greater solidarity and support from the EU and NATO in this area.

"The European Union must strengthen its security and defense capabilities, borders and societal resilience, competitiveness, and the EU’s global influence. This is in the interests of the security of all EU citizens. Therefore, in discussions on the EU’s multiannual budget for 2028-2034, one of the priorities that Latvia also advocates for is the need to allocate additional EU funding to countries and regions along the EU’s eastern border, including Latvia. The European Commission’s proposal for the EU’s multiannual budget positively highlights the eastern border in the context of border management. However, it does not sufficiently reflect the significant challenges and impacts on the countries of the region associated with Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, nor does it sufficiently take into account the socioeconomic impact on the countries bordering Russia and Belarus," he said.

On March 16, 2026, Latvia, in cooperation with the leading countries Finland and Poland, as well as the Member States Lithuania, Estonia, and Sweden, submitted the initial project application of Eastern Flank Watch to the European Commission for evaluation for funding under the European Defense Projects of Common Interest (EDPCI).

Latvia’s eastern border is a 457-kilometre-long section of the European Union and NATO’s external border, located at the borders of Latvia, Russia, and Belarus, serving as a shield against illegal migration and hybrid threats, thereby also ensuring the security and protection of the EU and NATO’s eastern external border. Given the geopolitical situation, strengthening the eastern border is a priority, including its technological development, security, and special support for economic growth and security in border municipalities (in Latgale and Aluksne).