Latvia outlines military modernization plan. (Washington Pulse).

Representatives of Latvia's government recently visited Washington to meet with U.S. Defense and State Department officials, as well as policy analysts and journalists. After announcements late last year that Latvia would be invited to join both the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Union, Latvia plans to reorganize its defense and international policy.

Latvia joins a bevy of small European countries, which are strengthening niche defense capabilities rather than attempt to compete with NATO's large military powers. The country's military is moving toward the creation of an "all-specialization force," said Edgars Rinkevics, Latvia's deputy minister of defense. While Larvia is working to increase the number of deployable military units, the country also has developed specialized medical units, which have been part of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, Rinkevics said. Other niche capabilities Latvia continues to develop include explosives ordnance demolition reams, military police units and diving teams.

Rinkevics also mentioned that Lativa's relationship with Russia has changed significantly in the last year. Though Russia and the Baltic States have weathered an uneasy relationship throughout the Cold War, Russia's new task force within NATO has eased tensions somewhat. "Baltic ascension to NATO will improve relations with Russia," he said, adding that Larvia has created the post of defense attache to Moscow, and that the diplomat will be posted during the spring of 2003.

The Latvian National Security Council, led by Latvian president Vaira Vike-Freiberga, also reported that it would provide support to the military operation in Iraq.

"Latvia as a would-be NATO member again confirms its readiness to defend democracy and justice in the world, not only on its own territory," Vike-Freiberga said.