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Latvia
Nuclear-weapon endorser
Has not yet joined the TPNW
Status
Latvia has not yet signed or ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).
National position
Latvia has consistently voted against an annual UN General Assembly resolution since 2018 that welcomes the adoption of the TPNW and calls upon all states to sign, ratify, or accede to it “at the earliest possible date”.
Latvia supports the retention and potential use of nuclear weapons on its behalf, as indicated by its endorsement of various alliance statements of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), of which it is a member.
Political developments
Three former Latvian defence ministers – Tālavs Jundzis, Linda Mūrniece and Ģirts Valdis Kristovskis – co-signed an open letter in 2020 calling on current leaders to “show courage and boldness – and join the [TPNW]”.
TPNW negotiations
Latvia did not participate in the negotiation of the TPNW at the United Nations in New York in 2017 and thus did not vote on its adoption. On the opening day of the negotiating conference, it joined the United States and several other states in protesting the treaty-making process.
In 2016, Latvia voted against the UN General Assembly resolution that established the formal mandate for states to commence negotiations on “a legally binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons, leading towards their total elimination”.
In a document sent to NATO members ahead of the vote, the United States “strongly encourage[d]” members, including Latvia, to vote against the resolution, “not to merely abstain”. In addition, it said that, if the treaty negotiations do commence, allies and partners should “refrain from joining them”.
Further information
Nuclear-weapon endorser
Has not yet joined the TPNW
[HIGHLIGHTS]
Status
Latvia has not yet signed or ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).
National position
Latvia has consistently voted against an annual UN General Assembly resolution since 2018 that welcomes the adoption of the TPNW and calls upon all states to sign, ratify, or accede to it “at the earliest possible date”.
Latvia supports the retention and potential use of nuclear weapons on its behalf, as indicated by its endorsement of various alliance statements of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), of which it is a member.
Political developments
Three former Latvian defence ministers – Tālavs Jundzis, Linda Mūrniece and Ģirts Valdis Kristovskis – co-signed an open letter in 2020 calling on current leaders to “show courage and boldness – and join the [TPNW]”.
TPNW negotiations
Latvia did not participate in the negotiation of the TPNW at the United Nations in New York in 2017 and thus did not vote on its adoption. On the opening day of the negotiating conference, it joined the United States and several other states in protesting the treaty-making process.
In 2016, Latvia voted against the UN General Assembly resolution that established the formal mandate for states to commence negotiations on “a legally binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons, leading towards their total elimination”.
In a document sent to NATO members ahead of the vote, the United States “strongly encourage[d]” members, including Latvia, to vote against the resolution, “not to merely abstain”. In addition, it said that, if the treaty negotiations do commence, allies and partners should “refrain from joining them”.
Further information
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