2024-07-25 06:51:53
The President stated that we all understand that. He stated that he is closely following the statements of the ministries and ministers that “almost everything is security at the moment” and emphasized that he understands this very well.
“It should be taken into account that Latvia already had experience at the beginning of the 2000s, when everything, including gymnasiums, remained under defense expenses, it did not benefit anyone,” Rinkēvičs said.
The President emphasized that security should be understood as related to national defense, strengthening of internal security, civil defense system.
“In the next two or three years – like it or not – security issues will be important, they will also determine competitiveness issues, demographic issues,” the president said. He emphasized that people are often worried about the future, investors also ask questions about whether it is safe in Latvia. Such issues are also considered before creating or expanding a family, the President said.
Therefore, currently the main priority issue in the state budget is the strengthening of national security and defense, he emphasized. “If we ourselves feel safe, if investors see that it is safe here, then the other issues will also develop,” said Rinkēvičs.
The Prime Minister also emphasized that security is and will be the main priority in the state budget. “It is very important for us to be able to defend ourselves and send signals that Latvia is and will be a strong country,” Siliņa added.
The Prime Minister also stated that investors also appreciate the state’s investment in strengthening security. “These days, big investors from the USA are also coming to Latvia, so I think we are moving in the right direction, taking care of our security, and thus attracting investments, because they know that Latvia is a member of the European Union and NATO,” said Siliņa.
As reported, ministries and other central institutions, as well as independent institutions, have submitted requests for priority measures for 2025 for 1.292 billion euros, representatives of the Ministry of Finance (FM) informed LETA.
Independent institutions submitted measures for 2025 for 7.5 million euros, and ministries and other central institutions for 1.284 billion euros.
According to Finance Minister Arvils Asheradens (JV), it can be seen that, when creating the new budget requests, some ministries have interpreted the security issue quite broadly. “The desire of the ministries to develop their industry is understandable, but the reality is quite harsh. That is why we have started budget negotiations with the ministries on the real budget possibilities,” the minister adds.
Taking into account macroeconomic indicators and fiscal space, the government previously agreed to set security as the only priority direction for the state budget for 2025 and the budget framework for 2026, 2027 and 2028.
The ministries directly responsible for national security, the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Defense, have submitted 2025 budget requests in the amount of 440 million euros, and these needs will be considered as a matter of priority in the government, Asheraden informs.
2024-07-25 06:51:53