Teikmanis: there is no reason for panic over Trump’s statements

Latvia and other Baltic states have always fulfilled their commitments towards NATO. With that, there is no reason for panic over Republican Party’s presidential candidate Donald Trump’s statement about the possibility of USA refusing to aid Baltics, notes Latvian ambassador to USA Andris Teikmanis.

«It should be remembered that it is part of the pre-election rhetoric. Prior to elections, it is important to listen to each politician’s words and that the rhetoric usually changes after the candidate’s election,» – Teikmanis said in an interview to 900 seconds programme of LNT.

He also emphasized that when asked about USA’s involvement in protection of Baltic States if they fulfil their commitments before NATO, Trump’s response was ‘yes’. Teikmanis noted that all commitments are complied with. He added that the state budget’s expenditure on defence will reach 2% of GDP in 2018.

«No one has ever questioned Article 5 of the NATO agreement. This article is one of the main guarantees to ensure NATO’s existence. Anyone can have doubts; action is what is most important. NATO summit in Wales and the summit in Warsaw both demonstrated that USA and NATO are and will remain Europe’s security guarantee,» – said Teikmanis.

Latvia’s new ambassador to USA added that USA has a balanced triangular form of power – the executive power (the president), the legislative power (Congress) and the judicial power. ‘This triangle is well-balanced and many important matters are resolved by the Congress,’ – explained Teikmanis, adding that the US president has to respect the majority of votes of the Congress.

BNN/LETA

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