“Cooperation and dialogue between our countries is close and active even during the pandemic,” said Speaker of the Saeima Ināra Mūrniece on Friday, 19 March, upon remotely meeting and congratulating Jüri Ratas, the new Speaker of the Estonian Parliament, elected the day before.

We support closer cooperation at the European Union (EU) level to ensure vaccine accessibility, timely delivery to member states, and increased manufacturing capacity. It is also crucial to ensure that vaccines effective against the new variants of Covid-19 are delivered under the concluded agreements, highlighted the Chair of the European Affairs Committee of the Saeima on Friday, 19 March, following a meeting wherein MPs discussed the position of Latvia for the upcoming emergency European Council meeting.

On Thursday, 18 March, the Saeima adopted in the final reading urgent law amendments introducing a number of relief measures to help entrepreneurs overcome the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Wednesday, 17 March, the Saeima adopted in the final reading a new Law on Residential Tenancy. A new law was necessary to improve the existing regulatory framework, provide a balanced amount of obligations and rights for tenants and landlords, and resolve other issues related to tenancy rights.

“Latvia and Lithuania must continue the synchronisation of the electricity networks of the Baltic States and the Rail Baltica project at full speed. Our parliaments also have an important role to play in facilitating the implementation of infrastructure projects that are crucial for the region," emphasised Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, on Monday, March 1, during the meeting with Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, Speaker of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania.

On Friday, 26 February, the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Saeima issued a statement on the 7th anniversary of the annexation of Crimea, in which it calls on the global democratic community to firmly stand for adherence to international law and democratic values in the entire international arena, and to support the international Crimean Platform established by the Ukrainian government and the non‑governmental sector to fight for the de‑occupation of Crimea.

“We wish Ukraine the strength to continue resisting Russia’s aggression. You can count on Latvia’s unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Do not lose sight of the compass that will guide your way to Europe,” said the Deputy Speaker of the Saeima Dagmāra Beitnere‑Le Galla on Thursday, 25 February, during a remote meeting with Olexandr Mischenko, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Republic of Latvia. 

On Thursday, 25 February, the Saeima approved in the final reading urgent amendments to the Law on the Protection of the Children’s Rights stipulating that, as of 1 May, Honorary Family Certificates are also to be issued to families with children with disabilities.

“Ukraine can always count on Latvia’s firm support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. We will continue to pursue a consistent policy of non‑recognition of the illegal annexation of Crimea, and we will make efforts to keep this issue on the current international agenda,” said the Speaker of the Saeima Ināra Mūrniece on Wednesday, 24 February, during a remote meeting with the Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament Dmytro Razumkov.

On Thursday, 11 February, the Saeima adopted in the final reading amendments to the Law on Participation of the National Armed Forces of Latvia in International Operations to modernise and specify the regulation on the participation of the Latvian armed forces in military operations and activities.