We condemn on the strongest terms the invasion into Ukraine’s territory by the armed forces of the Russian Federation. Focused actions of the Russian Federation violating bilateral and multilateral agreements on Ukraine’s soveregnity and territorial integrity, and its direct support of terrorist military units threaten not only Ukraine’s or its neighbours’ security, but also security of EU and NATO member states and stability in Europe.

On Thursday, 28 August, after the meeting of the European Affairs Committee devoted to the developments in Ukraine, Chairperson Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica emphasised that “at the upcoming European Council the European Union should immediately decide on a response to Russia’s blatant aggression in Ukraine. Every minute we receive information verified by the highest officials of Ukraine and other countries that warfare in Ukraine is conducted by regular Russian troops with armoured vehicles bearing no marking of their affiliation to a particular country.” This issue will also be on the agenda of the informal meeting of the foreign affairs ministers of the European Union, the so-called Gymnich, to be held on 29–30 August.

“Despite the geographical distance, Latvia and Japan have a long history of cooperation, and successful political dialogue is a good foundation for further economic cooperation, as well as joint cultural and educational projects,” said Solvita Āboltiņa, Speaker of the Saeima, during her meeting in the Main Building of the Saeima with Masaaki Yamazaki, President of the House of Councillors of the National Diet of Japan, who is on an official visit to Latvia. 

“Latvia previously promised Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova that it would be among the first member states of the European Union to ratify the association agreements with these countries. Therefore, I am gratified that today the Saeima unanimously supported the ratification of all three association agreements, thus fulfilling our promise and expressing our country’s political support  for these Eastern Partnership countries,” said Solvita Āboltiņa, Speaker of the Saeima, on Monday, 14 July, after the ratification of the European Union (EU) association agreements with Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova. 

On Monday, 14 July, the Saeima in an extraordinary sitting adopted and approved the Association Agreements between the European Union (EU) and the European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States, of the one part, and Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, of the other part.

“The crisis in Ukraine, relations with Russia, preparations for the Latvian presidency of the Council of the European Union at the beginning of next year and the NATO Summit in Great Britain have been the main topics for the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Saeima during the spring session of parliament,” recounted Ojārs Ēriks Kalniņš, Chairman of the Committee.

When looking back at the spring session of the Saeima, Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, Chairperson of the European Affairs Committee, indicated: “During the spring session, the European Affairs Committee focused on issues such as the situation in Ukraine, the 10th anniversary of Latvia’s membership in the European Union, and youth employment in Europe.”

On 19 June, the Saeima, with 69 parliamentarians voting in favour and 28 voting against, adopted amendments to the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia (Satversme) in the final reading. The Constitution was supplemented with an introduction revealing its very purpose and essence.

MPs of the Baltic States believe that dialogue with all Eastern Partnership countries should be maintained and that new ways should be sought to support their EU aspirations. Ojārs Ēriks Kalniņš, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Saeima, reported that the Eastern Partnership was among the key issues discussed during the annual meeting of members of the foreign affairs committees of the Baltic parliaments held on Friday, 13 June.