Rinkevics tells minister to solve Latvia’s migration issues first

Latvia must address illegal migration and border security at home before advising other countries, President Edgars Rinkevics said, according to LSM, commenting on Interior Minister Janis Dombrava’s letter to Spain.

Latvian Television reported that Dombrava sent the letter over a border crisis in Ceuta, Spain’s North African enclave, where tens of thousands of people entered from Morocco. The letter was received sensitively in Madrid. Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs has reprimanded Dombrava, saying that communications with foreign countries must be coordinated with the Foreign Ministry.

Rinkevics said Latvia’s foreign policy is represented without special authorisation by the president, prime minister and foreign minister, describing this cooperation mechanism as effective.

He also acknowledged that illegal migration and border security have become an increasingly serious problem at the European level.

“First of all, we must ensure the security of our own state border. We have a great deal to do there,” Rinkevics said.

After discussing the issue with the prime minister, interior minister and defence minister, the president said he had seen determination among the institutions responsible for border security to do everything possible to reduce pressure from illegal migration on Latvia’s borders.

“But before we write letters to anyone, we must deal with our own actions,” Rinkevics said.

He said the pressure from illegal migration could be addressed only through unified European Union action and policy. Rinkevics added that Latvia’s position had already been clearly set out in a letter signed by the governments of 22 countries.

The leaders called for an immediate response and coordinated European Union action over the events in Ceuta in the letter signed on August 1.

Rinkevics said he expected more coordinated policy in the future following a conversation between Kulbergs and Dombrava. He added that Latvia stood in solidarity with Spain and was ready to provide political support if needed, while also expressing appreciation for Spain’s participation with its soldiers.