A high-level discussion on the future of European security will take place in Riga

In early May, Members of the European Parliament, policymakers, experts, and opinion leaders from several countries will gather in Riga to discuss the future of European security, with a focus on the contribution and significance of the countries in the EU’s eastern region in strengthening the bloc’s overall security.

The high-level discussion “The Future of European Security: A Perspective from the Eastern Flank,” to be held on May 8, 2026, is organized by the Foreign Affairs Working Group of the EPP group, whose deputy chair is MEP Sandra Kalniete (Latvia).

Sandra Kalniete, MEP, Head of the Latvian Delegation in the EPP group: “The next EU multiannual budget will be the first to prioritize security and defense, and this approach is fully in line with Latvia’s priorities. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has profoundly affected security, economic growth, and development, particularly in the countries on the EU’s eastern flank. In these circumstances, the Baltic states, together with their northern neighbors, Poland and Germany, are forming a new regional core, actively supporting Ukraine and strengthening cooperation to counter hybrid threats in the Baltic Sea region. The Baltic states have consolidated their leading positions in NATO defense spending, allocating a significant portion of their GDP to strengthening security. They are also among the most active advocates of sanctions policies, limiting Russia’s abusive influence. At the same time, Latvia stands out as one of Europe’s leaders in digital innovation, developing technologies including drones, quantum solutions, 5G/6G, and artificial intelligence. Latvia’s leadership has served as the basis for hosting such a high-level discussion in Riga.”

Participants in the discussion will include Valdis Dombrovskis, Commissioner for the European Economy and Productivity; Mārtiņš Kazāks, President of the Bank of Latvia; Major General Kaspars Pudāns, Commander of the Latvian National Armed Forces; General Guntis Pujāts, Commander of the State Border Guard; Laura Skrodele, Director of the “Entrepreneurs for Peace” Foundation, and Elīna Egle, Chair of the Board of the Latvian Security and Defense Industry Federation.

Prime Minister Evika Siliņa and Foreign Minister Baiba Braže will address the participants in the discussion, and Ainars Latkovskis, Chair of the Saeima National Security Committee, will take part in the discussion.

The European Parliament will be represented at the event by Andrzej Halicki MEP (Poland), Deputy Chair of the EPP Group and Chair of the Foreign Affairs Working Group; Nicolás Pascual de la Parte MEP (Spain), Coordinator for Security and Defense Issues of the EPP Group; Christophe Gomart MEP (France), Vice-Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Security and Defense, and Rasa Juknevičienė MEP former Lithuanian Minister of Defense. The delegation also includes Alice Teodorescu Måwe MEP (Sweden), Sven Simon MEP (Germany), Krzysztof Brejza MEP (Poland), Ingeborg ter Laak MEP (Netherlands), Isabel Wiseler-Lima MEP (Luxembourg) and Inese Vaidere MEP (Latvia).

During the visit, the MEPs are scheduled to hold a working meeting with Jānis Sārts, Director of the NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence, hey will visit the unmanned aerial vehicle manufacturer “Origin Robotics”; and, to conclude the visit, they will tour the exhibition at the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia.

Further information and registration for the conference: https://www.eppgroup.eu/riga-2026-c4485e