On Thursday, 17 October, in anticipation of the Third Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimea Platform in Riga, the Saeima adopted a statement on support for Ukraine in its defence against Russian aggression. 

The Third Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimea Platform on 24 October in Riga will bring together delegations from approximately 40 countries around the world. Alongside the Summit, high-level expert discussions and other events in support of Ukraine will take place, including discussions dedicated to human rights issues and a screening of the documentary The True History of Crimea.

By hosting the Third Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimea Platform, Latvia assumes a leading role in bolstering international support for Ukraine. At both the parliamentary and national levels, we reaffirm Latvia's comprehensive and steadfast commitment to the restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity while simultaneously pursuing an active and responsible foreign policy that underscores Latvia's perspective on the security challenges facing the global community. This sentiment is articulated by the Speaker of the Saeima, Daiga Mieriņa, in anticipation of the Parliamentary Summit to be held in Riga on 24 October. 

On Thursday, 10 October, the Saeima passed in the final reading amendments to the Military Service Law allowing citizens of other countries to serve in the Latvian Army in the event of mobilisation. 

From the next school year, all children up to grade 6 will be prohibited from using mobile phones in schools. Exceptions will be made when mobile phones are required by the teacher as part of the teaching process, according to amendments to the Education Law passed by the Saeima on Thursday, 10 October. The law applies to students in preschool and primary school, covering Years 1 to 6 inclusive. 

The Third Parliamentary summit of the International Crimea Platform in Riga on 24 October will bring together delegations from approximately 40 countries around the world. We invite media representatives to apply for accreditation by 14 October by completing the application form available at: https://crimea-platform-riga.lv/media-acc-form/.

The Third Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimea Platform will take place in Riga on 24 October, bringing together delegations from around 40 countries of the world. The Summit is organised in order to raise awareness and support of the international community for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders. It aims to highlight the global impact of Russia’s aggression and continue to shed light at the international level on the crimes committed by the aggressor.

In order to strengthen Latvia’s energy security and promote a more efficient clean energy transition, on Thursday, 3 October the Saeima adopted the urgent draft law approving Latvia’s participation in the International Energy Agency. 

In order for local governments to implement more effective measures to combat invasive species in their territory, including the Spanish snail and hogweed, the Saeima approved in the third and final reading amendments to the Law on the Conservation of Species and Biotopes on Thursday, 3 October. Among other things, they provide for the establishmentof a list of invasive species in Latvia and require the Cabinet of Ministers to develop measures to limit the spread of these species. 

Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, Head of the Latvian Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, stressed the need for the international community to ensure the return of captured Ukrainians to their homeland, during the debate on the resolution “Missing persons, prisoners of war and civilians in captivity as a result of the war of aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine” held during the autumn session of the Assembly in Strasbourg, France.“The response of the international community has not recently reached the level necessary to achieve a just peace for Ukraine. Russia brutally violates the international order, fails to respect humanitarian and human rights with impunity. Achieving long-term peace in Ukraine and the region requires decisive and immediate action. Other international organisations should also promote pressure against Russia so that prisoners of war, civilians in captivity and abducted children can return home,” Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica said.