Latvia’s defence and security institutional thinking in the framework of European Union Common Security and Defence Policy

One of the Latvia’s defence and security policies dimension is participation in the European Union (EU) Common Security and Defence policy (CSDP). EU CSDP includes variety of tools (military missions and operations, EU Battle groups, Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), etc.). Latvia’s Ministry of Defence (MOD) plays the most important role in Latvia’s defence policy. From the perspective of new institutionalism institutions are significant, and new institutionalism has three basic strands: historical, rational choice and sociological institutionalism. With sociological institutionalism can be identified institutional thinking (script). The aim of the paper is to identify Latvia’s defence and security institutional thinking in the framework of EU CSDP. Paper is based on document analyses and interviews with the officials from Latvia’s MOD. The establishment of Latvia’s policy in the framework of EU CSDP is based on the obLīgations that derives from Treaty of Lisbon. Latvia joined all policies, including EU CSDP. Latvia’s MOD naturally and synergistically engages in EU CSDP mechanisms. The aim of the Latvia’s membership in the EU CSDP is to demonstrate solidarity, participate in decision making process, gain experience and receive security guaranties. Wider engagement in CSDP is supported by society. The most important directions for Latvia are EU military missions and operations, EU Battle groups, PESCO and European Defence Fund (EDF). The additional aim for Latvia is national defence capacity building. Latvia’s defence policy is based on NATO, but EU CSDP has supplementary role.