On 8th July 2025, Lars Gerdes, Deputy Executive Director for operations of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), visited Latvia for the first time to get acquainted with the progress of the joint operation “Latvia 2025” and to discuss aspects of cooperation with the State Border Guard of Latvia officials and Frontex Standing Corps officers.
During his first visit, L.Gerdes visited the operational area of the Ludza Board, the officials of the State Border Guard of Latvia and Frontex Standing Corps officers who carry out official duties at the external border of Latvia.
The main objective of the visit was to assess the operational area of joint operation “Latvia 2025”, its infrastructure, technical support, as well as to discuss the effectiveness of operational cooperation and synergies between Frontex and the State Border Guard of Latvia. The importance of close operational cooperation was underlined during the negotiations, considering the high intensity of migration and security risks at the EU external land border with the Russian Federation and Belarus.
L.Gerdes appreciated the contribution made by Latvia to the protection of the external border of Europe, and Latvia's significant role in the development of a unified European approach to migration and internal security.
The Deputy Executive Director then travelled to Estonia for the opening ceremony of Frontex Contingent 7 in Tallinn on 10 July, continuing his mission in the Baltic States.