US experts to arrive in Latvia to advise on building new military base and training grounds

• Published date: 26 July 2022
• Publication title: LETA

RIGA, July 26 (LETA) - US military experts are due to arrive in Latvia in August to provide advice to their Latvian colleagues on how to best build a new military base and training grounds in Selija, Defense Ministry spokesman Kaspars Galkins told LETA.

The Defense Ministry and National Armed Forces (NAF) will mainly be consulting with US military experts, but an involvement of Canadian experts is possible as well, Galkins said.

Latvia needs foreign advice because of two reasons. Firstly, NATO allies have vast experience of developing such sites, and secondly, the would-be military base will be hosting allied troops, so it is essential to learn about their needs.

The allied experts are also expected to visit the site on which the new training grounds and base will be developed. While the Defense Ministry has revealed the location of the new training grounds, the location of the military base is not being disclosed for now. This information might be made public following the consultations with the allies, Galkins said.

Defense Minister Artis Pabriks (Development/For) said on Twitter that the training grounds will be located in the southern Latvian region of Selija - the rural territories of Zalve, Sauka, Viesite, Daudzeva and Sece. Most of...