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“My people are my home, said Latvian poet Andrejs Eglītis. Searches, doubts and a never-ending way always take us home – back to our people, back to our state. 18 November is a day for returning, a day when doubts are put aside, searches slow down, and we realise that we belong to Latvia,” said Solvita Āboltiņa, Speaker of the Saeima, when addressing MPs and guests of the Saeima at the ceremonial Saeima sitting dedicated to the Day of Proclamation of the Republic of Latvia.
When celebrating the 94th anniversary of the free and independent state of Latvia, the Speaker called on each patriot of Latvia to “keep the feeling of belonging and togetherness of 18 November locked deep in our hearts so that neither doubts nor flattery nor fear can suppress it. Because the way back home – back to one’s people and back to one’s state – is not dependent on the will of external powers, nor does it have to be sought far away. It is always with us and always within us”.
Looking back at the last years, Āboltiņa acknowledged that they undoubtedly have been full of difficult experiences and lessons. “Confusion of values and ignorance of laws of economics led us into a deep economic crisis from which we managed to emerge only due to a clear political vision and solidarity of the entire society,” the Speaker told to MPs, pointing out that Latvia is recovering from the crisis.
“Indicators of economic growth are clearly improving. From being a country which was hit by the economic crisis the most, we have already turned into a country with the most rapidly growing economy in Europe. But people will enjoy the fruits of that only after a while; that is a law of economics. However, more alarming than statistical data are those signs which are harder to measure but which are equally significant in determining the survival and development of our nation – signs such as trust in our state,” noted Āboltiņa.
The Speaker acknowledged that inequality within society really exists, and as a result of the crisis, many families suffer from economic hardships. “Many people live on the verge of poverty. Low incomes prevent people from living in conditions that are considered at least appropriate in their community. From not having to constantly pinch pennies. From setting a table for celebrations. From enjoying the culture of which we are rightfully proud.” Stressing that post-crisis problems and life stories of desperate people are challenges that have no simple or quick solution, Solvita Āboltiņa called on everyone not to give up and not to lose one’s eagerness to act, but to fulfil one’s duties to the best of one’s ability – then everything will turn out right. To illustrate her words, Āboltiņa quoted our paralympic champion Aigars Apinis, who believes and whose experience shows that in order to achieve goals and attain results, one has to work hard.
Referring to the road behind, Speaker Āboltiņa underscored that a lot of efforts have already been made to develop the national economy, to improve the demographic situation, to stimulate employment and to build up Latvia’s reputation in international markets. The fact that our national economy has been growing for eight consecutive quarters proves that the strategy and solutions chosen are correct and effective and that Latvia has taken the path of stable growth, stated Solvita Āboltiņa.
The Speaker also noted that the development of Latvia as a democratic state depends not only on its economic success. “A strong democracy is also characterised by a high level of civic participation, a developed political culture and the rule of law,” said Āboltiņa, highlighting the significance of an open parliament and civic participation. It is also necessary to continue reforming the judiciary in order to speed up court proceedings and prevent attempts to deliberately prolong them.
While evaluating the efforts to improve the demographic situation, Speaker Āboltiņa emphasised that demography is not merely about benefits; she called on everybody to look at demography from a broader perspective. “Planning and giving birth to a child are only the first steps in improving the demographic situation. It is also crucial to ensure accessibility of nurseries, schools, high-quality education, health care, social services, as well as economic stability of the family, jobs and state support in case of unemployment or illness. The demographic situation will improve if comprehensive support and security are ensured from the moment a child enters this world until he or she has grown up, acquired an education and is able to become a member of society, develop a stable career and establish his or her own strong family. Therefore, the only answer to the question on how to improve the demographic situation in our country is this – the overall growth of Latvia,” noted the Speaker.
In addressing her colleagues, Solvita Āboltiņa highlighted the Latvian people’s long journey toward economic recovery and asked everybody to consider whether MPs are also adequately fulfilling their obligations: “Can we restore justice, the rule of law, security and trust? Can we keep the quality of parliamentary debates from becoming a political circus? Can we ensure that the legislative process is not overshadowed by next municipal elections or referendums? Can we keep from succumbing to provocations and from creating them ourselves?”
While focusing on the fact that frequently parliamentary debates and diversity of opinions are replaced by political populism, the Speaker called for a professional and constructive debate about joining the euro area, which is an important issue related to the future development of our country. Joining the euro area is a means to enhance stability, increase investments and generate prosperity, stressed the Speaker. “Membership in the euro area is of geopolitical significance for us because it is a clear sign of belonging to the Western world and its values. For the Baltic States, the euro is also a symbol of security, and careless populist playing with it is dangerous.”
In her address, the Speaker of the Saeima said that it is necessary to explain without undue emotions how the introduction of euro will affect people’s lives. “It is time to abandon the fear of losing our national identity, for it will become ever more pronounced and recognisable when euro coins displaying Latvian symbols will be used throughout the euro area, be it in Lisbon, Paris or Tallinn. If society is informed and knowledgeable, then declarative and oversimplified solutions do not work.”
When reminding the audience about Latvia’s interests with regard to the next EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework, Āboltiņa pointed out: “We have done a lot to convince other EU member states that unfairly distributed direct payments which distort the market are not acceptable and that cohesion funding is an important instrument for further development. We must stand up for the national interests of Latvia and the interests of our farmers because they are crucial for the growth of Latvia.”
This year Latvia started to prepare for its presidency of the EU, and the Speaker stressed that Latvia stands out in terms of allowing not only the government and the parliament but also other groups of society to participate in this process, and the Saeima has had an important role in that, for example, by making presidency-related issues one of the main topics in the annual joint forum of the Saeima and NGOs.
In her address, the Speaker referred to the words of Juris Rubenis, a Latvian Lutheran pastor, who suggested that each of us can help our country by giving it a better, more empathic, more honest, more loving and wiser person – each of us can be that person. “It is true that no one and nothing will rescue Latvia if it does not rescue itself. It is that simple and complicated at the same time. If we lose confidence in ourselves, the ability to move forward, to manage and govern and if we lose our desire to live in Latvia, our story will come to an end. If we become paralysed by unimportant controversies and post-crisis exhaustion, the prophecies of our foes will come true,” said Āboltiņa.
“But why would we tear apart the solid foundations of our state? Why would we give up dreams that will definitely come true? Why would we put at risk our state and its very foundations when certain groups of society shamelessly challenge us to a game of misinterpreted democracy?” asked the Speaker, as she suggested taking a look at different nations throughout the world and compare them to Latvia. “We have achieved a lot together! We have seen and experienced so much! We have founded and renewed our state. We have no reason to disparage ourselves. We most definitely know the price and the value of peace, freedom and democracy,” stated Speaker Āboltiņa.
It is us that shape what Latvia will be on its 100th anniversary, pointed out Āboltiņa. “I wish to see a strong, developed and competitive Latvia with people living in prosperity and harmony, a country where more children are born. The only country in the world where the Latvian language is spoken, where Latvian culture and traditions are cherished and where the national identity flourishes. I wish to see Latvia with the rule of law and democracy rooted deep within its society. When I think of the centenarian Latvia, I see strong and prosperous families, educated and competitive people, new jobs and developed entrepreneurship. I see people returning to a Latvia which is capable of developing with the help of its own people and their talents. I see people committed to preserving the fundamental values of our state for the sake of the generations to come,” Āboltiņa shared her vision.
“Devotion to our state, ambitious goals, honest attitudes and duties fulfilled conscientiously – these are the gifts we can dedicate to our state every single day,” said the Speaker in conclusion of her address.
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Saeima Press Service