Kulbergs calls for more EU funding for eastern flank states

Eastern flank countries should receive additional funding in the European Union’s next multiannual budget because they play an important role in protecting Europe’s external border, Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs said, according to LSM.

After meeting President Edgars Rinkēvičs, Kulbergs said he had reached an agreement with eastern flank countries at the European Arctic Summit that the EU needed to invest in border areas.

“The geographical location of the eastern flank countries next to an aggressor means that investments are lost. Our economic activity is affected, while at the same time we have to devote the greatest expenditure to defence,” Kulbergs said.

“If there is no strong economy and no strong eastern flank in economic terms, there will also be no strong defence in the long term,” he added.

Kulbergs said Russia was a long-term threat to both the Arctic and the eastern flank region. Latvia experienced this threat daily through provocations, hybrid attacks and disinformation campaigns, he said, adding that Europe needed to invest more in security.

The prime minister also said the summit included discussions on the next EU budget and future access to European funding. “Difficult decisions must be made this year,” he said.

Leaders of EU member states and institutions discussed the Arctic’s importance for European security and stability, the region’s geopolitical situation and the need to strengthen cooperation, security and resilience in the Arctic.