A strong transatlantic partnership and presence of the United States in Europe is crucial for facing modern global challenges, dealing with economic recession and facilitating democratisation in the world, said Solvita Āboltiņa, Speaker of the Saeima, in Washington, DC, during her meeting with John Boehner, Speaker of the House of Representatives, held in the framework of her working visit to the U.S.
“Latvia greatly appreciates the fact that the U.S. has always pursued a non-recognition policy towards the occupation of the Baltic States. The strategic partnership between our countries is also characterised by the significant support the U.S. has extended to us since our regaining of independence,” noted Speaker Āboltiņa; she stressed that our bilateral relations are based on mutual trust, cooperation and, above all, common values.
When addressing relations between the European Union and the U.S., Solvita Āboltiņa noted that Europeans and Americans are close allies, and strengthening of transatlantic ties has consistently been Latvia’s priority regarding foreign policy of the European Union. Speaker Āboltiņa said that the constant presence of the U.S. and its involvement in issues of European significance should be maintained because Europe and the U.S. will be able to address modern global challenges more effectively if they join their efforts.
Solvita Āboltiņa noted that Latvia is interested in deeper involvement of the U.S. in our regional energy security issues, and she emphasised that the U.S. has always been an advocate of Latvia’s security in the broadest sense of the term. Increasingly active cooperation in the energy security sector and use of alternative energy sources are instrumental in preventing the use of energy supply as a geopolitical power tool and boosting the economic potential of the Baltic States.
Speaker Āboltiņa invited Speaker Boehner to visit Latvia in the near future, thus honouring the strategic partnership of our countries in person.
From 7 to 11 October, Solvita Āboltiņa, Speaker of the Saeima, is on a working visit to the United States of America. During the visit, Āboltiņa is meeting with Senator Chris Murphy, Chairman of the Subcommittee on European Affairs; Michael Nutter, Mayor of Philadelphia, and Alan Greenberger, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development for the City of Philadelphia. Within the framework of the visit, Solvita Āboltiņa is also scheduled to meet with the representatives of the Latvian diaspora. On her visit, the Speaker of the Saeima is accompanied by Jānis Vucāns, Deputy Secretary of the Saeima, and Ojārs Ēriks Kalniņš, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee.
Saeima Press Service