“We follow developments in your region closely every day and remain firmly convinced that Israel has the right to self-defence, in line with international and humanitarian law,” said Speaker of the Saeima Daiga Mieriņa on Tuesday, 5 August, during a meeting with the President of Israel Isaac Herzog in the Parliament.
The Speaker highlighted the close parliamentary cooperation between Latvia and Israel and called for the continuation of a constructive European Union–Israel dialogue, including on issues where views differ. In discussing conflicting information on geopolitical developments, both sides underlined that it is essential for the international community to hear and understand the true nature of events and to see clearly who is the aggressor and who is the victim.
“We have significant work ahead in strengthening our capabilities, and in this regard we can learn much from Israel and Ukraine, including in the field of civil protection,” Mieriņa noted when addressing the security situation. She emphasised that Latvia feels the impact of global developments directly, including threats posed by aggressor states such as Russia and Iran.
President Herzog thanked Latvia for its support, including at the interparliamentary level, and stressed that 50 hostages abducted by Hamas remain in captivity, highlighting the importance of securing their safe return. Speaking about the situation in Gaza, he confirmed that humanitarian assistance is being provided to its residents.
Discussing Latvia–Israel bilateral relations, Mieriņa and Herzog pointed to opportunities to expand economic cooperation. The Speaker also underscored the role of parliamentary cooperation in providing clarity about the situation. She expressed gratitude for Israel’s support of Latvia’s candidacy in the United Nations Security Council elections.
The meeting with the President of Israel was also attended by Secretary of the Saeima Edvards Smiltēns, Deputy Secretary of the Saeima Jānis Grasbergs, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee Ināra Mūrniece, and Chair of the Group for Promoting Cooperation with the Parliament of Israel Igors Rajevs.
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Saeima Press Service