2024-04-17 07:12:39
He had won the competition for the said post. According to the government’s decision, Puriņš is expected to be appointed on April 29.
From 2019 to 2023, Puriņš was a defense advisor at the Latvian representation in NATO, the head of the NATO and EU department of the Ministry of Defense. In the period from 2015 to 2019, the winner of the competition held the position of Deputy Secretary of State for Security Affairs at the Ministry of Defense, while from 2014 to 2015 he performed the duties of the Director of the Security Policy Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Prior to that, Puriņš held various positions in the Ministry of Defense, as well as being a lecturer at the Baltic Defense College in Tartu and the representative of the Ministry of Defense in resource matters at the Latvian representation in NATO.
The potential Secretary of State for the Ministry of Defense has a master’s degree in global security from the UK’s Cranfield University, and also graduated from the University of Latvia with a master’s and bachelor’s degree in economics.
Puriņš has completed the Higher Management study course of the Baltic Defense College.
Puriņš has received several important awards – the Letter of Appreciation of the Cabinet of Ministers, the badge of honor of the Minister of Defense “For contribution to the development of the armed forces” and others.
Minister of Defense Andris Sprūds (P) is sure that Puriņa’s appointment as State Secretary will strengthen the team of professionals in the ministry. The minister believes that Puriņa’s knowledge and experience in the field of defense at the national and international level will make a significant contribution to the work of the ministry. “Our big tasks remain the strengthening of Latvia’s military combat capabilities, constant support for Ukraine, the involvement of the public in general national defense, the introduction of a high-quality national defense service and the development of the military industry,” said Sprūds.
Puriņš, addressing the ministers at the government meeting, said that he would highlight three priorities in his work – strengthening Latvia’s defense capabilities, supporting Ukraine and developing the ability to host allies.
Economy Minister Viktors Valainis (ZZS) agreed with Puriņš’s priorities, while calling for them to be supplemented with the development of Latvia’s economy, namely by developing the military industry. Puriņš said that he had already started working on this issue while working for the Ministry of Defense in matters of military security, raising the requirements for Latvia’s participation in large grant projects. Puriņš assured that even now his work in the development of the military industry will continue.
It has already been reported that a total of 13 participants applied for the competition.
Shortly before the turn of the year, Jānis Garisons, a long-time official of the ministry, announced his resignation from the position of State Secretary of the Ministry of Interior. The decision was based on unexplained “differences of opinion” between Defense Minister Andris Sprudus (P) and the first official of the ministry.
Currently, the current deputy Rolands Heniņš performs the duties of the State Secretary of the Ministry of Interior.
2024-04-17 07:12:39