On 11th April 2024 the PM visited Italian Navy Frigate “Luigi Rizzo”, moored in the port of Riga. She was welcomed by Commander Catia Pellegrino and Ambassador of Italy to Latvia Alessandro Monti.
During the visit, Prime Minister Siliņa thanked Italy for its commitment to the security of Latvia and defined the Italian presence in the Baltic “a strong message of deterrence, security and Allied solidarity”. The PM also underlined the shared effort of Italy and Latvia in countering human trafficking and the weaponisation of migration flows – both on the Southern and Eastern Flank of NATO.
“Italy and Latvia have never been so close” has commented Ambassador Monti. “Our Armed Forces’ presence and daily work here shows the attention Italy holds for the security of Latvia and the whole wider region of the Baltic Sea”.
Frigate “Rizzo” is the sixth Italian unit of the Multi-mission European Frigate (FREMM) program. The ship is in the Baltic under the auspices of NATO Operation “Brilliant Shield”. Italy is also present in Latvia with 300 units from the Army – part of the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group “Latvia”.
