On Thursday, 26 May, the Saeima approved in the second reading the amendments to the Law on the Change of a Given Name, Surname and Nationality Record. According to these amendments, citizens of Latvia who are not ethnically Latvian but have permanently lived in the country for at least 15 years, have learned the official language, and affiliate themselves with Latvian culture, will be granted a right to change their nationality to Latvian.
Press releases
Speaker Mūrniece: Latvia supports prompt introduction of visa-free regime with Georgia (25.05.2016.)
On Wednesday, 25 May, within the framework of a working visit to Georgia, Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, met with the highest officials of the state. Speaker Mūrniece said that “Latvia will continue to support Georgia and will urge for prompt introduction of a visa-free regime with the European Union. Georgia has diligently completed its homework and implemented various reforms so that its citizens may enjoy the advantages provided by a visa-free regime.”
Speaker of the Saeima to visit Georgia (25.05.2016.)
On 24-27 May Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, will be on a working visit to Tbilisi, Georgia, to participate in the ceremonial events in honour of the 25th anniversary of Georgia’s independence, as well as to meet with high-level officials.
On Monday, 23 May, Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, addressed the Conference of the Speakers of the Parliaments of the European Union in Luxembourg. At the session devoted to strengthening the EU, Speaker Mūrniece stated that the challenges arising from migration, growing social inequality and the financial and economic situation can only be overcome by a joint effort, and that the European Union is founded on cooperation and solidarity among sovereign states.
Ināra Mūrniece: strong media and close cooperation must be the response to hybrid threats (13.05.2016.)
“Strong media and close transnational cooperation are key elements of dealing with the current hybrid threats”, highlighted Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, opening a high-level conference dedicated to the strengthening of the security in the Baltic region on Friday, 13 May.
On Friday, 13 May, the Saeima hosted Baltic Assembly conference ‘Security in the Baltic Region: Current Developments and the Way Ahead’. “Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania need to step up the defence cooperation to strengthen the security of all three Baltic countries; therefore the Baltic Assembly (BA) is currently working toward a common regional framework for defence procurements, joint masters programme for region’s security services, and regular tactical training,” stressed Jānis Vucāns, BA President.
Saeima to host a conference dedicated to strengthening of security in the Baltic region (12.05.2016.)
On Friday, 13 May, the Saeima will host a high level conference “Security in the Baltic Region: Current Developments and the Way Ahead”. It will focus on such topics as strengthening of mass media, countering of hybrid threats, and strategic recalibration of NATO and the EU.
On Monday, 9 May, Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, addressed the Europe Day celebration event organised at the Small Guild by the Representation of the European Commission in Latvia by saying: “To celebrate Europe Day – 9 May – means to celebrate peace. It is not a day of triumph over somebody. It is a day to look toward the future.”
Honourable Prime Minister,
On Wednesday, 4 May, the ceremonial presentation of a portrait of Zigfrīds Anna Meierovics, one of the founders of the Latvian Parliament, took place in the Main Building of the Saeima. The painting is a gift from the speakers of the Saeima appointed after the restoration of independence.