Rinkēvičs: Latvia currently safe, but sabotage not ruled out

President Edgars Rinkēvičs met with representatives of the Association of Latvian Large Cities (LLPA) at Riga Castle, assuring them that Latvia is currently in a safe position with no immediate threat. However, he reiterated what officials have repeatedly stated before — that various forms of sabotage cannot be entirely ruled out.

Speaking after the meeting, LLPA executive director Normunds Audzišs (ZZS union) said the president had reassured the association's representatives, stressing that there is no direct threat to the country at present.

US visit and UN address

One topic discussed concerned national security in a broader context. Audzišs noted that Rinkēvičs had recently returned from a visit to the United States, during which he also delivered a speech at the UN General Assembly. LLPA representatives wanted to understand how secure Latvia appears from the perspective of international organizations and world leaders.

Municipal finance equalization

The meeting also addressed a new municipal finance equalization model developed by the Ministry of Finance, which has not yet been implemented. According to Audzišs, most municipalities represented by LLPA had already given their approval to the model some time ago. The president reportedly confirmed during the meeting that he would help move this matter forward.

LLPA was founded in 2001 to foster closer economic, business and cultural cooperation among its members — ten Latvian republic cities: Daugavpils, Jelgava, Jēkabpils, Jūrmala, Liepāja, Ogre, Rēzekne, Riga, Valmiera and Ventspils.