Tallinn, 29 October 2021(TDI): Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, Karen Donfried recently met with the Foreign Minister of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs. During the Bucharest 9 Foreign Ministerial meeting, the two leaders discussed bilateral relations, regional security, and cooperation in regional and global issues.

While attending the Bucharest Nine meeting, the US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, Karen Donfried said, “It was very useful to hear from the ministers about their experience working with Russia. The main point of the talks was to see the minister’s strong support for NATO’s open-door policy, and that NATO can deepen its cooperation with Ukraine and Georgia”.

The Bucharest Nine (B9) includes Poland, Romania, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Bulgaria. It was established in 2015 following the annexation of Crimea by Russia. Earlier, the NATO Deputy Secretary-General for Defense and Police, Patrick Turner; addressed the meeting in Tallinn on October 27 and said that though the relations between NATO and Russia have deteriorated, NATO is always open to dialogue.

Donfried is expected to tour Norway where she will meet the new Norwegian leadership and discuss the long-standing U.S.-Norwegian relations including other global issues; as climate change, regional security, and non-proliferation. She is also expected to join the U.S. delegation in Italy and participate in the G20 Leaders’ Summit.

Donfried Latvia Tallinn NATO B9 
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