Construction, Financial Services, Latvia, Transport

This is according to information received by the Defense Ministry from representatives of the U.S. military in Europe, the business portal Nozare.lv was told by Defense Ministry spokeswoman Dace Ankipane.

According to the U.S. military brigade which is carrying out the works, it has so far spent USD 600,000 (LVL 347,000) on materials for road works, while USD 400,000 (LVL 231,360) has been spent on food supplies and fuel, writes LETA.

Defense Minister Imants Liegis (Civic Union) indicated that the road construction and repairs are part of the preparations for the military exercise. As a result, the U.S. military is carrying out the entire job itself, with observation by Latvian specialists and participation by Latvian military engineers at the preparatory stage.

Liegis believes that the ministry has carried out all possible measures in keeping local governments informed, and that the highest environmental standards have been adhered to, as confirmed by environmental experts and the Cabinet of Ministers. "At present, attempts which are difficult to explain, are being made against the successful staging of this training exercise and this investment by our ally in Latvia's security," said the minister, adding that this was detrimental to "the strengthening of our country's security."

The minister's comments come after a meeting of the coalition council on May 24 at which representatives of the Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS) requested that Liegis provide a report on the road construction at the Varve Dune ahead of June's NATO military training exercise, as well as on the promised financial benefit to the country from the exercise, LETA was informed by the ZZS's Saeima group.