Serbia is important partner for Latvia in Western Balkans - Braze

RIGA - Serbia is an important partner for us in the Western Balkans region, Foreign Minister Baiba Braze (New Unity) said while meeting with Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric on Wednesday.

As LETA was told at the Latvian Foreign Ministry, the meeting between the two countries' foreign ministers focused on Serbia’s path to the European Union and concrete plans for the accession process, developments in the Western Balkans, support to Ukraine in its fight against the Russian war of aggression.

The foreign ministers agreed to strengthen political dialogue and promote economic cooperation. Djuric confirmed that Latvia is a significant partner in the region and an ally on Serbia's path to European Union (EU) membership. He also thanked Latvia for the participation of Latvian soldiers in NATO’s KFOR operation in Kosovo to ensure stability in the region.

In an exchange of views on the EU enlargement process and Serbia's integration process, the Braze emphasized Latvia's support for the integration of Serbia and urged Serbia to continue reforms, especially in the area of the rule of law. Djuric confirmed that EU integration was a top priority for the Serbian government, and Serbia is prepared to introduce the necessary reforms by 2027.

Braze noted that Serbia and Latvia have a long-standing history of bilateral relations: in 2026, the two countries will mark their centenary. Serbia is currently on its path to EU membership, and Latvia will continue supporting Serbia in the process of European integration, including by sharing Latvia's experience with reform. 

"Of course, as is the case with all EU candidate countries, we expect compliance with the shared EU values and accession criteria, alignment with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy, as well as joining sanctions against Russia," said Braze.

As the ministers discussed support to Ukraine, they confirmed the need to continue all possible support – political, military, humanitarian and financial – and ensurr assistance in Ukraine's reconstruction.

The ministers also touched upon support offered by Latvia to Serbia as part of the joint operation of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, FRONTEX, to control irregular migration flows and combat cross-border organized crime. Braze provided information on the situation at the eastern border of Latvia, the EU and NATO, which she recently visited to ascertain the situation with the implementation of sanctions imposed by the EU against Russia and Belarus and on challenges posed by sanctions control to Latvia as a country at the external border.

During the conversation, Braze highlighted the increasing impact of hybrid threats on security and the stability of democracies, and accordingly, the need to strengthen both the resilience of the countries and societal awareness of, and resilience against disinformation and propaganda.

In June 1999, following a prolonged period of inter-ethnic conflict and violence in the Balkans, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) launched an operation in Kosovo (Kosovo Force – KFOR) on the basis of United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution 1244 of 10 June 1999 (1999). Since June 2021, Latvia has been participating in the operation with a light infantry company (the mandate of up to 160). The unit of the Latvian National Armed Forces (NAF) has been integrated into the U.S.-led multinational battalion. The NAF contingent performs patrolling, protection of operational force and emergency response force tasks, as well as participating in tactical level exercises.