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[upbeat music]

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(Military command) "Present arms!"

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(Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan) The thing I

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find very encouraging about Latvia is, you lead the way

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in terms of contributions and participation

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in NATO. Again it's been 15 impressive years, but

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the level of spending, the level of procurement

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is significant.

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You know, the dollars aren't the only thing

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that matters. It's the relationship and our partnerships

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(Latvian Defense Minister Artis Pabriks) It's nice to be here

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among friends and allies, particularly among friends

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and allies in difficult times and in more better times,

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because you have been always standing by us,

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and we highly appreciate the United States position

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regarding Latvia and the Balkan states whenever it comes.