According to the Latvian Defense Ministry, the government can involve a 100-strong foreign military contingent to settle domestic conflicts for up to six months. If the presence of a stronger contingent for a longer term is needed, a relevant decision should be made by the Latvian parliament.
Formerly, the Latvian legislation did not give the government the right "to invite armed forces of other countries or international organizations to consolidate Latvia's security at peacetime".
However, "with the growing terrorist threat to NATO member-states and the U.S.-led anti-terrorist coalition, a proper system of crisis management, relevant procedure and resources and the support of allied countries are necessary," the Latvian Defense Ministry said.
According to observers, amendments to the Latvian national security law have a different purpose. "It may imply deployment of NATO bases in Latvia, which was formerly ruled out," said the Riga-based Russian newspaper Vesti Segodnya.
