NATO has pledged a multimillion-pound investment into a beautiful seaside city as it plots how to beat Vladimir Putin’s Russia.
The alliance committed to offering up more than £140m (€160m) towards the development of a military port in Liepaja, a city found on the western coast of Latvia.
The plan was confirmed by Latvia’s defence minister Andris Sprūds.
He outlined the blueprint that will see the construction of new docks around the city’s Karosta district.
As well as this, auxiliary infrastructure and dredging operations to deepen the port’s basin was also approved.
Mr Sprūds said the project was vital for Latvia and that it will “significantly improve Latvia’s ability to host NATO forces”.
So far no further details have been announced on the project from Latvia.
However, Prime Minister Evika Silina has been speaking with officials from the National Armed Forces Headquarters and the Navy, underlining how important the investment would be.
The Prime Minister spoke to praised NATO’s decision to fund the port expansion, hailing how it would bolster not only Latvia’s defence capabilities – but also the city’s economy.
She described Liepaja’s development trajectory while also defining how important it was Latvia supported investment projects in the area.
She also hailed the city’s vibrant culture and tourism as she moved to complement the new Nato base.
According to the Baltic Times, the Prime Minister said: “The decision on EUR 160 million NATO funding for the development of the Liepaja Military Port will strengthen our country’s defense capabilities and will also be a significant contribution to the economy of Liepaja.”
She said it showed Liepaja is “on a stable development path, which needs to be continued by supporting investors’ projects, reducing bureaucratic requirements, strengthening competitive education and supporting the NBS plans to develop the military port in the Liepaja Karosta”.
The leader added: “Liepaja is at the same time a center of culture, tourism and manufacturing. (…) In recent years, new manufacturing companies have sprung up very rapidly.
“It is important that the city’s infrastructure continues to develop, where the right investment of European Union funds and other financial sources, as well as reduced bureaucratic requirements, play an important role.”
Plans for the base have been in the pipeline since 2020.
