RIGA, June 28 (LETA) - Latvia will do everything in its power to ensure that a joint drone manufacturing facility with Ukraine is built as soon as possible and is located near the Latvian border, Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs (United List) told members of the press on Saturday following an emergency government meeting in Latgale.

After the meeting, the prime minister expressed his satisfaction with how it went, describing the session as "constructive." He acknowledged that decisions made solely in Riga fail to address the specific problems of the region. During their visit to Latgale, Kulbergs and other ministers toured local businesses and met with municipal representatives.

Kulbergs said that the people they met highlighted security as the most important issue in Latgale. Without security, the region is experiencing a decline in tourism and other sectors, the prime minister explained.

He revealed that in July or August, an anti-drone solution will be deployed along the Russian-Belarusian border so that aircraft do not have to be deployed every time a drone poses a threat. This is effective but expensive, Kulbergs acknowledged.

Defense Minister Raivis Melnis visited one of these air defense posts in the border region on Saturday; such posts are planned to be deployed along the entire length of both borders. The post visited by Melnis is equipped with drone interception systems manufactured in Latvia, the minister revealed.

Melnis also noted that Saturday's Cabinet meeting discussed the issue of increasing the National Armed Forces’ presence in the Latgale region.

Earlier this month, Kulbergs signed an agreement with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on comprehensive cooperation in the field of defense between the two countries, ensuring that Latvia can draw on Ukraine’s experience in defending its airspace against drone attacks. As Kulbergs explained on Satruday, the agreement also provides for joint production.

The prime minister agreed with Melnis that Latvia will do everything possible-remove political barriers and establish "green corridors"-to ensure that the drone production facility is located near the Latvian border. Kulbergs emphasized that Latgale needs economic activity, investment, and jobs. He expressed hope that the "first cornerstone" will be laid as early as this year.

As previously reported, an extraordinary meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers took place on Saturday at the National Armed Forces' Luznava military base in the Rezekne Municipality, the State Chancellery informed LETA.

It was also reported that on June 9, Kulbergs and Zelensky signed an agreement between the two countries on comprehensive cooperation in the field of defense, ensuring the transfer of Ukraine’s expertise in protecting airspace against drone attacks.

Under the agreement, Ukraine has committed to providing support in the transfer of expertise, particularly in the context of unmanned systems and air defense, by sharing Ukraine’s unique military and civilian experience.