Procedures for Involving the National Armed Forces in International Rescue Operations and International Humanitarian Operations

Issued pursuant to Section 5, Paragraph four of the Law
On Participation of the Latvian National Armed
Forces in International Operations

1. This Regulation prescribes the procedures, by which the National Armed Forces shall be involved in international rescue operations and international humanitarian operations upon the request of foreign countries for the need of first aid.

2. An appropriately trained personnel of the National Armed Forces, which is ensured with the special equipment necessary for carrying out of the task, may be involved in international rescue operations and international humanitarian operations.

3. A decision on participation of units of the National Armed Forces of Latvia in international rescue operations and international humanitarian operations shall be taken by the Cabinet upon the request of foreign countries for the need of first aid.

4. If a request for the need of first aid has been expressed by a Member State of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation or the European Union, the Minister for Defence may take a decision on participation of individual especially trained units of the National Armed Forces in international rescue operations and international humanitarian operations in the territory of such states.

5. The Minister for Defence shall inform the Prime Minister regarding taking of the decision referred to in Paragraph 4 of this Regulation without delay.

6. On the basis of the Cabinet decision referred to in Paragraph 3 of this Regulation or the decision of the Minister for Defence referred to in Paragraph 4 of this Regulation, an order of the Minister for Defence shall be issued on involvement of units of the National Armed Forces of Latvia in international rescue operations and international humanitarian operations. The order shall include information on:

6.1. the nature of the international rescue operation or international humanitarian operation;

6.2. the task for the National Armed Forces for the provision of assistance in the international rescue operation or international humanitarian operation;

6.3. the procedures by which the actions of the National Armed Forces shall be co-ordinated with the foreign authorities and services managing the international rescue operation or international humanitarian operation;

6.4. the time of participation in the international rescue operation or international humanitarian operation.

7. After receipt of the order of the Minister for Defence the Joint Operations Centre of the National Armed Forces shall:

7.1. inform the Operational Command Service of the Border Guard Board of the Central Board of the State Border Guard on the need to cross the border for the carrying out of international rescue operations and international humanitarian operations, indicating the quantitative structure and mode of transportation of the unit, as well as the place of crossing the border;

7.2. co-ordinate the arrival and participation of units of the National Armed Forces in international rescue operations and international humanitarian operations with the responsible authorities of the state which requested first aid.

8. The Operational Command Service of the Border Guard Board of the Central Board of the State Border Guard shall inform regarding the place and time of crossing the border and the quantitative structure of unit of the National Armed Forces without delay:

8.1. the duty officer of the unit of the State Border Guard;

8.2. the State Border Guard service of the requester of aid.

9. Action of units of the National Armed Forces in international rescue operations and international humanitarian operations shall take place in accordance with international agreements binding to the Republic of Latvia.

10. The Minister for Defence shall submit an informative report to the Cabinet on the results of providing first aid within two months after the end of the international rescue operation or international humanitarian operation.

11. The Commander of the National Armed Forces shall be responsible for the provision of such units of the National Armed Forces with the material and technical resources and special equipment necessary for carrying out of tasks, which are planned to be involved in international rescue operations and international humanitarian operations, and for the creation of material reserves necessary for carrying out of the planned tasks.

12. The National Armed Forces shall regularly organise training of the personnel in order to increase its readiness and ability to participate in international rescue operations and international humanitarian operations.

Prime Minister I. Godmanis

Minister for Defence V. Veldre

Translation © 2014 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre)