"The international community must give strong and ongoing support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and its Euro-Atlantic integration. We are deeply concerned about the fate of the Crimean Tatars," said Ināra Mūrniece on Wednesday, 24 April, during a meeting with Refat Chubarov, a member of the Ukrainian Parliament and Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, and Olexandr Mischenko, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Republic of Latvia.

On Wednesday, 24 April, the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Saeima adopted a statement on the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the deportation of Crimean Tatars and expressing support for the policy of non-recognition of the illegal annexation of Crimea. The statement cites evidence of a deliberate genocide by the Soviet regime against many nations and ethnic groups living in the Soviet Union and its occupied territories, including the Crimean Tatars, in order to destroy their cultural and social heritage and historical presence on the Crimean Peninsula and to force the Crimean Tatars out of their homeland.

“This June European Union (EU) should start accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania”, underlined Speaker Mūrniece at the annual Conference of Speakers of the European Union Parliaments that took place 8-9 April in Vienna, recognising the commitment of both countries to reforms and the progress they have achieved so far.

On Thursday, 4 April, the Saeima in the final reading adopted amendments to the Law on the Handling of Tobacco Products providing that retail outlets will no longer be allowed to display tobacco products for customers, and it will only be possible to purchase tobacco products by choosing them from a price list.

On Wednesday, 3 April, the Saeima in the final reading and as a matter of urgency adopted the Law on the State Budget for 2019 and 14 draft laws related to the budget. 

“We established our own independent state, we fought for it and we have restored it. Now, strengthening our nation is a collective task, both for the National Armed Forces and society as a whole. Our nation will endure as long as we are prepared to defend it”, said Speaker Mūrniece on Thursday, 28 March, marking the 15th anniversary since Latvia became a NATO member, on a visit to National Armed Forces military base in Ādaži where she was accompanied by Members of Parliament.

On Thursday, 21 March, a new Law was adopted in the final reading to ensure judicial cooperation and protection of personal rights during the transition period after the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (EU).

To face current challenges, a close and active cooperation is needed between the countries of the Baltic and Nordic regions, emphasised Speaker Mūrniece at a meeting with Andreas Norlén, Speaker of the Riksdag, Åsa Lindestam, First Deputy Speaker, and Members of Parliament from the Committees on Foreign Affairs, Defence and European Union Affairs, during her official visit to the Parliament of Sweden.

"Latvia and Sweden share a special relationship. Being of a similar mind-set, together our countries can achieve more. In the European Union, the united voice of the Nordic countries and the Baltic States carries more weight," emphasised Speaker Mūrniece at a meeting with Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven during her official visit to Stockholm.

"Latvia and Georgia share an active parliamentary cooperation. I congratulate Georgia on its 100th anniversary of parliamentarianism," said Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, during the meeting with Tea Maisuradze, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to the Republic of Latvia, on her introductory visit to the Saeima.