“Latvia consistently advocates for the safe and unconditional return of the deported Ukrainian children. It is barbaric to force Ukrainian children to fight against their own people. It is essential to strengthen international resolve, increase pressure on Russia, and coordinate joint efforts so that every Ukrainian child can return home and be reunited with their family,” emphasised Daiga Mieriņa, Speaker of the Saeima, on Thursday, 27 August, at the annual meeting of parliament speakers of the Nordic and Baltic countries (NB8) in Reykjavík, Iceland. The return home of the abducted Ukrainian children is the main theme of this year’s meeting of the NB8 parliament speakers.

Speaking at a panel discussion during an international forum for political and civic engagement in Poland, Deputy Speaker of the Saeima Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica underlined the need for Europe to strengthen its defence capabilities much more rapidly, while stressing that a stronger European defence is not a substitute to the transatlantic alliance – it strengthens NATO.

In August 1991, people did not know what the next day would bring, but they knew what kind of Latvia they wanted. Today, we have our own state, our Constitution, a democratically elected parliament, and a secure place within the European Union and NATO. We have what people were then willing to risk everything for,” said Daiga Mieriņa, Speaker of the Saeima, on Friday, 21 August, at the ceremonial sitting of the Parliament dedicated to the 35th anniversary of the full restoration of Latvia’s independence.

On Friday, 21 August, Deputy Speaker of the Saeima Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica met with a delegation from the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, led by Deputy Speaker Park Duk-hyum. The parties discussed parliamentary cooperation between the two countries, opportunities to expand economic cooperation, as well as current developments in global security and international affairs.

On Thursday, 20 August, the Saeima convened for an extraordinary session sitting and passed in the final reading the urgent Law on Financial Stabilisation Measures for Air Baltic Corporation AS, which establishes a special framework for the state’s participation in the airline’s financial stabilisation process.

On Thursday, 20 August, the Saeima reviewed the new Immigration Law for the second time, specifying its provisions.

“For us, the three restored Baltic democracies, these 35 years mark a time of maturity. A moment when we can look back on our achievements, whilst also setting new objectives for the future,” said Daiga Mieriņa, Speaker of the Saeima, on Thursday, 20 August, addressing colleagues in the Parliament of Estonia and congratulating the people of Estonia on the 35th anniversary of the restoration of their independence.

On Thursday, 20 August, Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, Deputy Speaker of the Saeima, together with Saeima MPs met with Mindaugas Sinkevičius, Prime Minister of Lithuania, and discussed topical issues in the cooperation between both countries – the necessity to strengthen our border, support for Ukraine, as well as economic cooperation between the countries. 

On Wednesday, 29 June, Daiga Mieriņa, Speaker of the Saeima, met with Sam Mostyn, Governor-General of Australia, who is on an official visit to Latvia. During the meeting, officials discussed the Latvia-Australia bilateral relations, cooperation in security and defence, support for Ukraine, as well as deepening parliamentary ties between the two countries.

“Canada is an important and trusted ally of Latvia, and its military presence is a significant contribution to strengthening the security of Latvia and the wider region,” said Daiga Mieriņa, Speaker of the Saeima, on Wednesday, 29 July, during her meeting with Brian Szwarc, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Canada to the Republic of Latvia. Ambassador Szwarc was on a farewell visit at the Saeima.