Pursuant to the ‘By-Law of the Ministry of Defence’ approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on 29 April 2003, the Ministry of Defence is the leading Latvian administrative institution in the field of defence directly subordinate to the Minister of Defence. The Ministry of Defence develops National Defence Policy, organises and co-ordinates the implementation of the National Policy, the implementation of National Policy in the areas of geodesy, cartography, and geo-spatial information, as well as the implementation of National Policy in the areas of military education and science.
The activities of the Ministry of Defence are overseen by the Minister of Defence – a civilian who is politically responsible before the Saeima (Parliament) and the Prime Minister. The Ministry of Defence State Secretary is a state civil service official who oversees the administrative work of the Ministry of Defence and ensures the continuity of operations when the political leadership of the Ministry changes.
The Administrative Structure of the Ministry is formed by departments and independent sections. On 1 January 2010, the structural reform of the defence sector was completed. Within the framework of the structural reform, the resources and structures of the existing National Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence were optimised and the implementation of separate functions was decreased. In taking over the functions of the NAF Headquarters and Units, soldiers were also included into the Ministry of Defence staff. Thus the Ministry of Defence went from being what was once a civil institution to becoming a civilian-military institution.
