To strengthen the country’s competitiveness and harness the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, Latvia will establish an Artificial Intelligence Centre responsible for AI development. This is stipulated in the Artificial Intelligence Centre Law, which was adopted in its final reading by the Saeima on Thursday, 6 March.

Financial support provided by employers to employees for purchasing medication in cases of severe illness will be exempt from income tax. The Saeima adopted this decision on Thursday, 6 March, in the final reading of amendments to the Personal Income Tax Law.

In an effort to enhance the efficient development and utilisation of electricity system capacity, a flexible connection service will soon be introduced. This initiative is outlined in the amendments to the Electricity Market Law, which were approved in their third and final reading by the Saeima on Thursday, 6 March.

27 February is now officially recognised as World Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Day in Latvia, this was decided today by the Saeima with the adoption of amendments to the Law on Public Holidays, Commemoration Days and Celebration Days; the amendments were initiated by the Presidium of the Saeima.

In order to strengthen the official language policy, the Saeima adopted amendments to its Rules of Procedure in the third reading on Thursday, 27 February. The amendments require the Cabinet of Ministers to report to the Saeima every two years on the work done and planned to preserve, protect, develop and increase the influence of the official language.

“Ukraine and Europe must be present at the peace negotiations where the future of Ukraine—and our future—is decided. Europe does not benefit from a frozen conflict or a mere ceasefire. Europe is solely interested in reaching a peace agreement. Ukraine’s independence must never become a bargaining chip in the hands of global superpowers,” emphasised Daiga Mieriņa, Speaker of the Saeima, on Monday, 24 February, at the extraordinary parliamentary sitting convened to commemorate three years since the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

On Thursday, 20 February, Speaker of the Saeima Daiga Mieriņa welcomed Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas to the Parliament for discussions on support for Ukraine. Both leaders agreed that Ukraine must be directly involved in negotiations on the peace process.

“The war has strengthened our society, making it more active, courageous, and democratic. It has fostered a spirit of initiative, where people do not wait for orders from above but take action, mobilise, seek solutions, and respond proactively. This support is a testament to the resilience of Latvia’s civil society. Non-governmental organisations and volunteers lead by example, inspiring politicians to make bold decisions,” stated Deputy Speaker of the Saeima Antoņina Ņenaševa on Thursday, 20 February, at the opening of the exhibition "Three Years Together: Latvia’s Support for Ukraine" in parliament.

Marking three years since Russia's full-scale military invasion of Ukraine, the Saeima on Thursday, 20 February, adopted a statement reaffirming its unwavering solidarity with the Ukrainian people in their heroic fight for statehood, honouring those who have fallen in war, and pledging continued support for Ukraine until its victory.

“Latvia has an interest in seeing secure and stable growth in the Western Balkans as well as further integration of the region with the European Union. We are willing to assist in Serbia’s reform process with our own experience, and we highly value Serbia’s commitment to EU integration as a strategic objective,” said Daiga Mieriņa, Speaker of the Saeima, on Tuesday, 18 February, welcoming Ana Brnabić, Speaker of the National Assembly of Serbia, at the Latvian parliament.