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“You belong to the family of democratic and united countries. The path is not easy, it is full of challenges, and we have made it in the past. It is not just a story about you, it is a story about all the democracies, our collective security, and Ukraine, which are currently fighting for our values. Fighting for peace across Europe,” said Daiga Mieriņa, Speaker of the Saeima, on Wednesday 26 June, welcoming Alen Simonyan, President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, to the Parliament.

When discussing the crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine and elsewhere, the parties addressed the threat Russia poses to Europe as a whole. As emphasised by the Speaker of the Saeima, Russia’s goal is to destabilise the region and gain control, and the parties agreed that we must face Russia’s aggression together.

Both Latvia and Armenia are experiencing elements of Russia's hybrid warfare. Among other threats, Speaker Mieriņa highlighted a wave of disinformation, with which Russia is trying to influence our society. “The disinformation war gives a false impression of what is happening in the country and affects citizens’ trust in the state power,” added the Speaker of the Saeima, calling for vigilance and truthful information in return.

Speaking about the current situation in the South Caucasus region, Speaker Mieriņa emphasised that we want to see it safe and stable, and we look forward to the earliest possible conclusion of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Agreement.

Strengthening economic cooperation was also discussed. Likewise, the parties exchanged views on parliamentary cooperation between Latvia and Armenia and possibilities to promote national ties in the format of friendship groups and within the framework of committees. The strengthening of the dialogue between the European Union and Armenia was also emphasised, and Speaker Simonyan welcomed the cooperation between Armenia and the European Union within the framework of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement.

Edvards Smiltēns, Secretary of the Saeima, and Gunārs Kūtris, Chair of the Citizenship, Migration and Social Cohesion Committee of the Saeima, Head of the Group for promoting cooperation with the Parliament of Armenia, also met with the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia.

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Saeima Press Service