Launching the European Union's Internal Security Fund project No. VP/IDF/2024/5 "Strengthening the State Police's Response Mobility and Counterterrorism Capabilities by Creating a Practical Training Center" (hereinafter referred to as the "project"), an international conference entitled "Managing the threat of terrorism: the effectiveness, cooperation, and training of police and intervention units" took place from November 20 to 21, 2024. The conference brought together over 250 participants from 13 countries, with a primary focus on managing the threat of terrorism from the perspective of various law enforcement agencies.
The conference also highlighted the planned strengthening of the material and technical base of the Internal Security Academy and the development of its study programs.
Opening the conference, Jānis Bekmanis, Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior, stated: "The level of terrorist threat in Latvia is low. There is no reason to believe that this will change in the foreseeable future. However, relying on this is risky, given the geopolitical situation – Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, conflicts in the Middle East, and the deliberate attempts of some of our neighboring countries to increase radicalization by all means possible. Therefore, both the European Union and individual countries are constantly investing in the development and preparedness of their services, well aware that everything can change rapidly. Our readiness to prevent terrorist acts and respond to them has a direct impact not only on preventing specific threats but also on public trust in the state's ability to protect society, as well as trust in the state's democratic system, state values, and state power as a whole."
Dmitrijs Homenko, Director of the State Police College, emphasized: "Every activity and step implemented in the project is carefully considered to ensure maximum added value. One of the most important tasks is to invite foreign experts and integrate their expertise into the training of our internal security professionals. The project is five years long, and a conference on internal security is planned each year. I would like to thank the Ministry of the Interior for its support in promoting the establishment of the "Internal Security Academy" consortium. An agreement has been signed between the State Police College, the University of Latvia, and Riga Stradins University on strengthening internal security and educating law enforcement officials. Thus, the State Police College has taken on a very responsible role, as by improving the infrastructure of the State Police College, we are also improving the opportunities for students of the Internal Security Academy to gain knowledge and practical skills."
Zane Petre, Head of the European Commission Representation in Latvia, reminded the audience at the opening of the conference: "Over the past decade, the European Union has implemented a number of strategic measures to effectively combat the threats posed by terrorism. This shared goal remains unchanged - to protect citizens, infrastructure, and reduce the ability of terrorists to act. Recent events have shown how important shared responsibility and cooperation are. This European Union Internal Security Fund co-funded project is an ambitious and significant step towards jointly modernizing and improving the capabilities of law enforcement agencies. The project's main emphases - both strengthening counterterrorism capabilities, improving mobile response, and enhancing investigative skills - are a significant investment in Latvia's and Europe's security. There can be no compromise in the fight against terrorism; we must be quick, smart, and united."
For more information about the conference (in Latvian): http://www.ida.edu.lv/jaunumi/params/post/4708118/cina-pret-terorismu-nevar-but-kompromisu-konference-veicina-sadarbibu-teror.
The project is being implemented within the framework of the European Union's Internal Security Fund for the 2021-2027 planning period, with the Ministry of the Interior as the managing authority in Latvia.
