On Wednesday, 21 December, members of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Saeima elected Ojārs Kalniņš (Unity) as the new Chairman of the Committee. Kalniņš was the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee during the previous convocation of the Saeima.

Today Romualds Ražuks (ZRP) asked the members of the Committee to support his resignation from the chairman’s position, and members of the Committee complied with his request.

The Foreign Affairs Committee reviews legislation related with foreign affairs, as well as exercises parliamentary scrutiny over foreign affairs. The Committee takes decisions on international agreements, Latvia’s accession to international conventions and other issues related to foreign affairs prior to these being reviewed at the plenary sitting.

The Committee coordinates the national position on foreign affairs and proposals for development of international relations. The Committee also assesses and decides on appointment of candidates nominated for the position of Latvia’s ambassadors abroad, and subsequently submits its advisory opinion to the President of Latvia, who appoints ambassadors to their positions.

Saeima Press Service