Latvian defense minister: Defense is NATO’s priority

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00:00You mentioned broader global conflicts, Middle East, for example.

00:05We've also heard the Secretary-General making reference to how interconnected global conflicts are.

00:11With that in mind, can you see an expanded remit, an expanded operation for NATO,

00:20maybe more active in the Middle East?

00:23First of all, it is the Collective Defence Alliance defending NATO's territory.

00:28So it's 32 members, 32 countries which should be defended.

00:33So above all, the primary task is, if we go back to our roots, Collective Defence.

00:38At the same time, it's not excluded that in different coalitions of the willing,

00:42and I would add coalitions of the able, are also actively participating or acting more globally as well.

00:49But this would most likely not be direct aim, direct goal of the NATO mission or NATO as an organisation.

00:56So Collective Defence is above all.