WATCH ⟩ Historical footage: Latvia’s path to NATO

Having just regained its independence from the Soviet regime, and still in the first stages of democracy, Latvia gradually began its first relations with NATO. At first – in the North Atlantic Cooperation Council, then in the “Partnership for Peace” program, up to the so-called road map, which is given to countries when NATO membership is already, it can be said, completely certain.

Years of work by diplomats, governments, advisers, exiled Latvians, friends and supporters of Latvia, until the moment came that shook history – Prague, 2002. November 21, NATO summit, which was to decide the fate of Latvia.

“All of us who were present still remember that moment. Girts Valdis Kristovskis was there as a minister. The representatives of the armed forces celebrated in their room.

The elation was huge,” recalls the then president of Latvia, Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga.

After two years of waiting and proving that Latvia is ready, March 29, 2004 arrived – the day when the leaders of all seven countries finally went to the USA to present the final documents to the White House and wait for official admission to NATO.

Latvia was represented in Washington that day by the head of the newly formed government, Indulis Emsis.

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