Latvia, Prime Minister Siliņa visits Italian frigate Luigi Rizzo

Latvia's Prime Minister, Evika Siliņa, was welcomed on board the Italian Navy ship 'Luigi Rizzo' by Commander Catia Pellegrino and the Italian Ambassador to Latvia, Alessandro Monti.

During her visit to the ship, the Latvian Prime Minister thanked Italy for its commitment to Latvia's security, describing Italy's presence in the Baltic as "a strong message of deterrence, security and Atlantic solidarity". Prime Minister Siliņa also emphasised the common commitment of Italy and Latvia in the fight against human trafficking and the instrumentalisation of migration, both on NATO's Southern and Eastern Flanks.

Ambassador Monti said: "Italy and Latvia have never been so close. The presence and daily commitment of our Armed Forces testify to the importance Italy attaches to the security of Latvia and the entire Baltic Sea region."

The ship Luigi Rizzo is the sixth Italian FREMM Unit and is engaged in the Baltic in the NATO operation Brilliant Shield. Italy is also present in Latvia with a contingent of about 300 military personnel of the Army as part of the NATO eFP to strengthen the Atlantic Alliance's border protection.