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Latvia firmly supports Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We remain committed to the policy of non-recognition of the annexation of Crimea, stressed Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, on Tuesday, 25 February during a meeting with Dmytro Razumkov, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, and the accompanying delegation who are on an official visit to Latvia.

Latvia and Ukraine are close partners maintaining an active dialogue. Let us continue our successful cooperation in international organisations, including the Council of Europe and its Parliamentary Assembly (PACE). Together with other like-minded countries, we must ensure that Crimea and Donbass remain on the European agenda, stressed Mūrniece.

With respect to the security situation in the region, the Speaker of the Saeima praised Ukraine’s efforts to resolve the conflict in the eastern part of the country, but also expressed concerns about the unrest continuing despite the ceasefire agreement reached at the Normandy summit.

The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada expressed his gratitude to Latvia for its enduring, consistent support on political as well as personal level, such as providing rehabilitation and aid to troops injured in the conflict zone and children affected by the war. We highly appreciate our cooperation with Latvia in the PACE and we are grateful for Latvia’s support in recognising the deportations of Crimean Tatars as genocide committed by the Soviet regime, expressed Razumkov.

Mūrniece highlighted the necessity for both countries to continue concerted efforts to counter Russia’s attempts at rewriting history and justifying its illegal actions in Ukraine and Georgia to the international community. Russia aims to soften the stance of Western countries and pursue the lifting of sanctions. It must not be permitted, said the Speaker of the Saeima.

Razumkov affirmed that Ukraine is continuing its Euro-Atlantic integration despite the high cost that the country must pay for the path it has chosen. Speaker Mūrniece applauded Ukraine’s reform process, especially in combating corruption and economic transformation.

With 44 MPs, the Group for promoting cooperation with the Parliament of Ukraine is the largest one in the Saeima, attesting to our mutual friendship and solidarity. We assure you of our continuous commitment to our partnership and mutual support, said Speaker Mūrniece.

Razumkov also met with Ojārs Ēriks Kalniņš, Deputy Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Saeima; Aldis Adamovičs, Chair of the Group for promoting cooperation with the Parliament of Ukraine; Juta Strīķe, Deputy Chair of the group; and Raimonds Bergmanis, MP.

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Saeima Press Service