On site, the King was welcomed by Latvia's President Edgars Rinkēvičs and Defense Minister Andris Spruds. “Sweden is a close ally with a strong contribution to the security in Latvia and the alliance,” wrote Defense Minister Spruds on Twitter/X.
During a joint visit to the Ādaži base, the King inspected a guard of honor together with the president and received a briefing on operations from Major General Jette Albinus, head of NATO's Northern Division. The King also met with the commander of the multinational brigade and representatives from NATO and the Latvian Armed Forces.
During the visit to Camp Valdemar, the King was informed about the battalion's tasks and equipment, including combat vehicles, medical capacity, and urban warfare. The King met with soldiers and gave a concluding speech during a battalion assembly.
The King's visit to Latvia concluded with a lunch at Riga Castle with President Rinkēvičs and a meeting with the staff at the Swedish Embassy in Riga. "Sweden is back," wrote President Rinkēvičs on Twitter/X.
Sweden's contribution in Latvia consists of a battalion from the Southern Scanian Regiment, P 7, and is part of NATO's FLF concept (Forward Land Forces). The unit is on site until the end of June 2025 and is part of a brigade under Canadian command, within a division led by Latvia and Denmark.