“There is a need for all European countries to rapidly strengthen their defence capabilities. Security and defence are the backbone of democracy, as they ensure stability, protect fundamental freedoms, and foster the well-being of our people,” highlighted Jānis Vucāns, President of the Baltic Assembly and Head of its Latvian delegation, addressing the audience at the European Conference of Presidents of Parliament, which also included the heads of interparliamentary organisations, on 20 March in Strasbourg, France.

Russia’s aggression extends far beyond Ukraine’s borders. It is spreading deeper in Europe, and we face it every day. It includes cyber attacks, disinformation, interference in elections, and sabotage of critical infrastructure. Europe must recognise these threats and develop regional solutions to prevent such incidents and to ensure our people feel safe. This was emphasised by Daiga Mieriņa, Speaker of the Saeima, addressing her colleagues at the European Conference of Presidents of Parliament on 20 March in the French city of Strasbourg.

“The story about how Lithuania and all the Baltic States regained their independance is a story about a dream of freedom that became reality—how people with bare hands and warm hearts stood against the tanks and machine guns. It inspires our Ukrainian friends to know that good ultimately defeats evil,” said Daiga Mieriņa, the Speaker of the Saeima, in Vilnius on Tuesday, 11 March, celebrating the 35th anniversary of the restoration of independence of our neighbouring country Lithuania.

“It is crucial to talk about peace conditions that are acceptable to Ukraine alone. We are talking about an agreement that is acceptable to the Ukrainian people in all respects – from territorial integrity to security guarantees,” said Daiga Mieriņa, the Speaker of the Saeima, during a meeting with the Speakers of the Parliaments of Estonia, Iceland, Lithuania, Poland, Finland, and Ukraine in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, on Monday, 10 March.

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.