§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the extent of joint working with Latvia is on military matters; how many UK personnel work in Latvia on training and related matters; and if he will make a statement. [124887]
§ Mr. SpellarThe UK has an extensive programme of defence assistance to Latvia as part of the MOD's "Outreach" initiative to promote stability and security in central and eastern Europe. The UK's programme of assistance to Latvia is underpinned by English language training, defence management training and military training which is provided both in-country and in the UK. We also assist Latvia through our contribution to the joint Baltic projects: the Baltic Security Assistance forum; the Baltic Peacekeeping Battalion; the Baltic Naval Squadron; the Baltic Defence College; and the Baltic Air Surveillance Network. Another substantial area of co-operation is the deployment of a 10 strong Latvian contingent with BRITFOR in Kosovo.
Currently we have six personnel working permanently in Latvia on training and related matters, with a civil servant seconded to the Latvian Defence Ministry to advise on programming and budgeting systems and five Royal Marines working with the Baltic Peacekeeping Battalion Training Team. However, Short Term Training Teams (STTTs) provide most of the military training, visiting Latvia for between two weeks to three months each summer; this year the STTTs will involve approximately 15 personnel. In addition to those involved directly in training, the Defence Attaché in Riga, assisted by an Assistant Defence Attaché, liaises with the Latvian Defence Ministry to ascertain their training and assistance requirements for each year.