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Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, at a meeting in Jūrmala with Viktoras Pranckietis, Speaker of the Seimas of Lithuania, placed special emphasis on issues pertaining to regional and energy security.

“We are carefully following the preparations for the Russian and Belorussian joint military exercise Zapad-2017 at the Latvian and Lithuanian borders. While the presence of NATO forces in our countries allows us to feel protected, there are still risks to be considered,” Speaker Mūrniece said.

In discussing regional security, the Speaker of the Saeima emphasised that we are continuing to invest in our national defence. “Special attention is being devoted to strategic communication and promoting media literacy, in order to combat the Kremlin’s information warfare. Aggressive propaganda and false news against our countries may also be disseminated during the Zapad-2017 exercise, and we must be ready for that,” Speaker Mūrniece said.

The speakers of the Latvian and Lithuanian parliaments both stressed that energy security is a common priority for both countries. Speaker Mūrniece and Speaker Pranckietis expressed unwavering support for the establishment of a regional gas market, as well as the synchronisation of the Baltic electrical grid with continental Europe.

During the meeting, both officials also discussed the latest legislative developments in both parliaments, including the tax reform.

The speakers also discussed the upcoming annual meeting of the speakers of parliament of the Baltic and Nordic countries, which will take place in Norway on 21-23 August. Speaker Pranckietis invited Speaker Mūrniece to the Baltic Unity Day celebrations, which this year will be hosted in Palanga, Lithuania on 23 September.

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Saeima Press Service