On Thursday, 21 November, the Saeima approved in the final reading amendments to the Law on Assistance to Ukrainian Civilians, extending state-provided assistance to Ukrainians for another year and enhancing its scope.

Distinguished guests,

“Let us take pride in what we have already accomplished, always keeping in mind that we can achieve even more. In these times of change, let us support one another. Let us extend a helping hand in times of difficulty and express our gratitude!,” urged Daiga Mieriņa, Speaker of the Saeima, at the ceremonial sitting of the Parliament on Monday, 18 November, dedicated to the 106th anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Latvia.

“We are united not only by geographical proximity but also by human ties, friendly relations, and shared values. Security is now central to our collaboration, enabling us to work together to ensure peace and stability for the people in our region,” stated the Speaker of the Saeima, Daiga Mieriņa, during a meeting with the Speaker of the Norwegian Parliament, Masud Gharahkhani, in Oslo on Tuesday, 5 November.

On Thursday, 24 October, the Speaker of the Saeima, Daiga Mieriņa, met with the President of the French National Assembly, Yaël Braun-Pivet, and the Deputy Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Bekir Bozdağ, to discuss strengthening interparliamentary cooperation. The meeting was held within the framework of the Third Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimea Platform, which brought together approximately 50 parliamentarians from around the world in Riga to support Ukraine.

To enhance accountability for road traffic offences committed by drivers of vehicles registered in third countries, the Saeima on Thursday, 24 October, passed amendments in the third and final reading requiring that a vehicle registered in a third country must be declared for road traffic use in Latvia.

To enhance the quality of higher education and research, as well as to strengthen the competitiveness of higher education institutions, the Saeima adopted amendments to the Law on Higher Education Institutions on Thursday, 24 October, adjusting language requirements for academic staff. This legislative initiative was submitted by the President of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs.

According to amendments to the Pre-election Campaign Law, adopted in the Saeima on Thursday, 24 October, any use of artificial intelligence in pre-election campaigns must be clearly disclosed.

In a bid to enhance the effective and professional implementation of judicial power and to establish a sustainable training system in the field of justice, the Saeima adopted a new law on Thursday, 24 October, aimed at establishing the Academy of Justice, set to launch next year.

“We must reiterate today, again and again, as a mantra, that Crimea is Ukraine; that Russia's attempts to alter borders by military force are illegal; and that the crimes committed by Russia will not be swept under the carpet. They will be judged, and those responsible will be held accountable. Ukraine is not alone in this struggle for values, international law, and justice,” stated Daiga Mieriņa, Speaker of the Saeima, on Thursday, 24 October, while addressing participants at the third parliamentary summit of the International Crimea Platform. The summit, held in our capital to support Ukraine, brought together delegations from around 50 countries worldwide.

On Thursday, 24 October, participants of the Third Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimea Platform adopted a joint statement, committing to continued and enhanced support for Ukraine at the parliamentary level. This includes providing the necessary political, financial, military, and diplomatic assistance to restore Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, including Crimea. The summit in Riga brought together parliamentarians from approximately 50 countries worldwide in support of Ukraine.

On Wednesday, 23 October, Daiga Mieriņa, Speaker of the Saeima, welcomed the Speakers of the Parliaments of Albania, Croatia, Cyprus, Portugal, and Tonga to the Saeima, emphasising the need for the international community to continue supporting Ukraine until victory. The summit, taking place tomorrow, 24 October, will bring together delegations from around 50 countries worldwide to support Ukraine. 

An essential part of Ukraine's victory plan is its accession to NATO as a prerequisite for long-term security in Europe. Ukraine's NATO membership could provide the strongest safeguard against further Russian aggression, stated Speaker of the Saeima, Daiga Mieriņa, on Wednesday, 23 October, following a meeting with the Chairman of the Parliament of Ukraine, Ruslan Stefanchuk, who is on an official visit to Latvia. The parliamentary leaders met at the Saeima ahead of the Third Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimea Platform, which is set to gather parliamentarians from around 50 countries in Riga tomorrow in support of Ukraine.

Tomorrow, 24 October, delegations from around the world will gather in Riga to participate in the Third Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimea Platform. The summit aims to underscore the global impact of Russia's aggression and continue to bring international attention to the crimes committed by the aggressor.

The Third Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimea Platform on 24 October in Riga will bring together delegations from all over the world. High-level expert discussions and a film screening on the history of Crimea are to be held both during and after the Summit.

In order to raise awareness and support of the international community for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders, the Third Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimea Platform will take place this Thursday, on 24 October, in Riga. 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. 

On Friday, 18 October, parliamentarians of the Baltic States gathered in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, at the 43rd Session of the Baltic Assembly, to discuss important regional matters, strengthen cooperation among the three countries and beyond, and agree on priorities for the coming year. A safeguarded, prosperous, and innovative Baltic region was set as the main cooperation priority.

“We have a similar thinking, we can finish each other’s sentences, we complete one another – in words and in deeds. And we grow strong together!” Daiga Mieriņa, Speaker of the Saeima emphasised on Friday, 18 October, when addressing her Baltic colleagues at the 43rd Session of the Baltic Assembly, which this year was hosted in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania.

On Thursday, 17 October, film director Dāvis Sīmanis received the Baltic Assembly (BA) Prize for the Arts at the award ceremony in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. Sīmanis received the Prize for his internationally acclaimed feature film “Maria’s Silence” (2024), which was also awarded at the Berlin International Film Festival. The film is a Latvian-Lithuanian co-production that presents a high‑quality artistic portrayal of important and fateful historical events for the entire Baltic region.

We are thankful to our Canadian allies for their leadership and significant contribution to our collective security and NATO’s overall robustness. The NATO multinational brigade will become the largest NATO military formation in the Baltic States. This was stated by the Speaker of the Saeima, Daiga Mieriņa, at an event held in honour of the NATO battle group's elevation to brigade level on Thursday, 17 October.