Latvian soldiers train in Germany before being sent to Afghanistan. Photo by Sgt. Lee Elder and used courtesy of the U.S. Army.

RIGA — Latvia will keep its 163-troop contingent in Afghanistan after the country’s parliament decided Thursday to approve the extension of stay until Oct. 13, 2010.

So far three Latvian soldiers have died and four have been injured while serving in the NATO-led International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF). The Ministry of Defense in Latvia has said though that the situation in Afghanistan means Latvia can’t step back yet.

Public policy consultant and former diplomat Pēteris Viņķelis, who helped write the charter for Latvia’s NATO entry, welcomes this decision.

“Even during the toughest times security aspect is very important for any country,” he told Baltic Reports adding that even during such a severe economic crisis, security cannot be neglected.

Viņķelis says the mission in Afghanistan is of critical importance for NATO, asserting that if NATO fails in the country, the very existence of the organization is in danger.

Saeima members stress importance of alliance

Saeima deputy Kārlis Šadurskis, of the Civic Union party, stressed the importance of security on global scale during debates in the parliament.

“We should mention the terrorism threat here, as well as drug distribution threat,” Šadurskis said.

Latvia is completely dependent on the alliance, deputy Dzintars Ābiķis of the People’s Party said. He said a small country like Latvia needs to be part of a collective security system in order to be guaranteed protection.

Viņķelis said the psychological aspect of the mission was very important.

“Much will depend on the fact that our troops will have been there [in Afghanistan] side by side with Americans, drinking from the same cups. Many of those American soldiers will be commanders in five years. They will create the climate in which the important decisions are made,” Viņķelis said.

Latvia has been part of ISAF since Feb. 2003 and expects to maintain the current troop level in 2010. Latvia’s neighbors Lithuania and Estonia also have 250 and 150 soldiers in Afghanistan respectively.