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To face current challenges, a close and active cooperation is needed between the countries of the Baltic and Nordic regions, emphasised Speaker Mūrniece at a meeting with Andreas Norlén, Speaker of the Riksdag, Åsa Lindestam, First Deputy Speaker, and Members of Parliament from the Committees on Foreign Affairs, Defence and European Union Affairs, during her official visit to the Parliament of Sweden.
Latvia and Sweden share friendly relations and an active political dialogue, which has to be continued. The newly elected 13th Saeima also strongly supports cooperation with Swedish Members of Parliament, as well as with other Baltic and Nordic countries, said I.Mūrniece.
The Speaker referred to the Nordic-Baltic cooperation platform (NB8) as a successful example that provides forum for open political dialogue on issues important for the development of the entire region. It is up to us to draw increased global attention to matters significant to Ukraine and all Eastern Partnership countries, added Speaker Mūrniece, calling for continued active engagement between the Speakers of NB8 countries and organising joint visits to Eastern Partnership countries in the future.
This year, Latvia, as the presiding country in the Baltic Assembly, and Sweden, as the presiding country in the Nordic Council, may encourage an even closer cooperation between the countries in the region.
Highlighting the role of parliamentary cooperation, I.Mūrniece said that a group has been set up at the Saeima for promoting cooperation with the Parliament of Sweden. Dialogue between Members of Parliament and sectoral committees at the Baltic and Nordic level should become a routine practice.
Speaker Mūrniece thanked the Parliament of Sweden for the honour it has shown to Latvia by organising events dedicated to commemorate Latvia's Centenary. In addition, I.Mūrniece expressed appreciation for the cooperation fund Sweden set up for Latvia that will encourage people-to-people exchanges.
Together with their Swedish counterparts, the Latvian delegation also discussed current issues regarding security and defence, focusing on countering hybrid threats and disinformation. Both countries treat security challenges very seriously and cooperate actively to stand ready to counter any threat.
Members of Parliament also discussed cooperation at the European Union (EU) level, including the challenges caused by Brexit or the impending withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU. I.Mūrniece informed that the Saeima is currently deliberating on several draft laws that concern the impending withdrawal of the United Kingdom to make sure Latvia is ready for the consequences Brexit may cause.
Addressing the preparation of the EU Multiannual Financial Framework, Speaker Mūrniece underlined Latvia's main priorities: cohesion policy, common agricultural policy and connectivity, including the construction of the high-speed railway project Rail Baltica.
I.Mūrniece invited the Swedish Speaker Norlén and Swedish Members of Parliament to visit Latvia this year. This is the first official visit the Speaker of the Riksdag receives after assuming office.
On 11-13 March 2019, Speaker Mūrniece is on an official visit to Stockholm, Sweden. The Speaker is accompanied by Arvils Ašeradens, Chair of the Education, Culture and Science Committee of the Saeima and Chair of the Group for promoting cooperation with the Parliament of Sweden, Jānis Vucāns, Member of Parliament, President of the Baltic Assembly, and Ojārs Ēriks Kalniņš, Deputy Chair of the European Affairs Committee of the Saeima.
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Saeima Press Service