“This is the moment when we – the Baltic States – have to be - and I proudly declare that we are - united in our position, namely, the need to jointly prevent continuation of the unfair EU policy concerning direct payments to farmers”, stressed Raimonds Vējonis, Head of the Latvian delegation to the Baltic Assembly.

On Tuesday, 20 November, the Public Administration and Local Government Committee of the Saeima approved amendments to the Law on Financing of Political Organisations (Parties) to be considered in the final reading. They set forth that a political organisation (party) member’s total contributions in the form of admission fees, membership fees and gifts (donations) to one political organisation (party) may not exceed 50 minimum monthly salaries over a calendar year instead of the current limitation of 100 salaries.

During these days in November we celebrate the 94th anniversary of the independent Latvia. Born in our dreams, founded, cherished deep within our hearts, renewed and free – this is our Latvia.

“My people are my home, said Latvian poet Andrejs Eglītis. Searches, doubts and a never-ending way always take us home – back to our people, back to our state. 18 November is a day for returning, a day when doubts are put aside, searches slow down, and we realise that we belong to Latvia,” said Solvita Āboltiņa, Speaker of the Saeima, when addressing MPs and guests of the Saeima at the ceremonial Saeima sitting dedicated to the Day of Proclamation of the Republic of Latvia.

The Saeima will participate in the light festival Staro Rīga (Shining Riga) for the second year. This year it will present an audio-visual history of the fundamental values enshrined in the Constitution adopted 90 years ago.

On Thursday, 15 November, the Saeima adopted in the final reading the Law on Medium-Term Budget Framework for 2013–2015, the Law on the State Budget for 2013, as well as amendments to 25 budget-related laws. This is the first time in the history of the Saeima that it adopts a law multi-annual budget.

On Tuesday, 13 November, the Defence, Internal Affairs and Corruption Prevention Committee of the Saeima supported in principle amendments to several laws which aim to decrease alcohol consumption among children and youths; amendments also state that individuals purchasing alcohol for youths, as well as sellers of illegal alcohol, will be held accountable. The Committee supported forwarding the amendments to the Handling of Alcoholic Beverages Law, the Law on Police, and the Latvian Administrative Violations Code for consideration by the Saeima in the first reading.

“Coordinated action and mutual support are needed not only on the Barricades or during the Singing Revolution. Our cooperation is necessary and meaningful in doing our everyday work, defending joint positions in the European Union or implementing yet another project that is beneficial for inhabitants of our border regions,” said Solvita Āboltiņa, Speaker of the Saeima, on Friday, 9 November, when addressing the parliamentarians of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia at the 31st Session of the Baltic Assembly held in Vilnius, Lithuania, from 8 to 9 November.

The Baltic Assembly calls on the parliaments and governments of the Baltic States, as well as the Baltic Council of Ministers, to devise cooperation mechanisms for the Baltic financial markets, to combat tax fraud and the spread of drugs, as well as to pursue joint energy projects and cooperation in the sphere of research. These areas of focus are included in the Resolution of the Baltic Assembly adopted on 9 November at the 31st Session of the Baltic Assembly held in Vilnius.