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Visiting strong partners in the north: Foreign Minister Wadephul is travelling to Latvia and Sweden
Foreign Minister Wadephul and his Latvian counterpart, Baiba Braže, at a press conference in Riga © Photothek Media Lab
On 26 January, Foreign Minister Wadephul is visiting Latvia and Sweden. His talks will focus on the hybrid threats emanating from Russia and on Euro-Atlantic security. Read on to find out why the partnership in the Baltic Sea region is so important.
The world order is changing. In this phase of geopolitical upheaval, we Europeans must stand and act united and with self-confidence. In this context, the Baltic Sea region deserves our particular attention as a hotspot: we and some of our closest partners in the European Union and the NATO Alliance are exposed to Russia’s hybrid threats there. This is also where we will determine whether our cohesion and strength can ensure lasting freedom, security and prosperity in Europe.
-Foreign Minister Wadephul prior to his departure for Latvia and Sweden
During his first official visit to Riga since taking office, Foreign Minister Wadephul will meet his Latvian counterpart, Baiba Braže. Germany and Latvia are bound by their common commitment to security in Europe, their interest in strengthening NATO’s eastern flank and their continuing support for Ukraine. The two countries are working together to ensure security and stability in the Baltic Sea region and to strengthen European unity. Our relations with Latvia are vibrant and developing dynamically: more and more young people in Latvia are learning German – a very encouraging trend that will ensure that our societies grow even closer together, and one that we support. Economic engagement, too, is an important pillar of cooperation. Germany is Latvia’s second largest trade partner and fourth largest investor.
During his visit to Riga, Foreign Minister Wadephul will also address the annual Latvian Ambassadors Conference in the Foreign Ministry at the invitation of Foreign Minister Baiba Braže.
Virtually no other region in the EU is as hugely affected by the hybrid activities orchestrated by the Kremlin. The Baltic region’s experiences underline our acute need for action: we cannot afford to lose any time when it comes to protecting critical infrastructure or imposing sanctions against the Russian shadow fleet. Security and resilience in the Baltic Sea region create stability for the whole of Europe.
-Foreign Minister Wadephul prior to his departure for Latvia and Sweden
Rules-based international order and European cooperation as a basis for resilience
Following his visit to Riga, Foreign Minister Wadephul will travel on to Stockholm, where he will meet Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Stenergard. In 2026, Germany and Sweden are celebrating the 75th anniversary of the re-establishment of their diplomatic relations after the Second World War. Our relations with Sweden are already close, but we want to deepen them even further, particularly in the area of security cooperation. The Ministers’ talks today will therefore focus on countering hybrid threats in the Baltic Sea region, protecting critical infrastructure and the role of the EU in a changing international order. The situation in Ukraine and the urgently needed support for the country in view of Russia’s large-scale attacks on civilian infrastructure will also be on the agenda.
Important debates being conducted within the transatlantic alliance must not be allowed to shift focus away from our central interest, namely freedom and security for Ukraine as a sovereign state. Putin is hoping for just such a loss of focus. For us, it is clear that Russia is and remains the greatest threat to security and freedom in Europe. The situation in Ukraine is particularly grave at the moment: following deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure, one million people are without electricity, hundreds of thousands without heating – in icy temperatures.
-Foreign Minister Wadephul prior to his departure for Latvia and Sweden
Both Latvia and Sweden are important partners for Germany in the EU, NATO and the Council of the Baltic Sea States. This trip, one in a series of visits to and meetings with partner states in the Baltic Sea region in recent months, underlines our shared commitment to security and the close coordination within the European Union and the transatlantic alliance. With his visit, Foreign Minister Wadephul is sending a clear signal for solidarity, dialogue and the further intensification of cooperation in the Baltic Sea region.