We applaud the determination of the newly-elected Parliament and the government of Moldova to implement a large-scale programme of democratic reforms. Latvia firmly supports deeper integration of Moldova in the European Union (EU). We are prepared to strengthen bilateral cooperation with Moldova, as well promote the relations between the EU and Moldova, reaffirmed Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, in her meeting with Igor Grosu, Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova.

The COVID-19 crisis has illuminated the weak spots in our societies. It has exposed how vulnerable democracy and our societies are. We should stand together to defend our democratic values, said Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, in her address at the European Conference of Presidents of Parliament in Athens.

On Friday, 22 October the Saeima approved additional restrictions defined by the government to fight the rapid spread of COVID-19. These restrictions include an obligation for all persons to stay at their place of residence from 8 PM to 5 AM until 14 November.

On 20 October, Members of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Saeima met with the delegation of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Parliament of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to discuss opportunities of strengthening parliamentary cooperation.

With deep sadness, we announce the passing of the Member of Saeima, long-time diplomat and politician Mr Ojārs Ēriks Kalniņš.

The next year’s draft budget is balanced and includes additional funding for various sectors. It includes not only funding to overcome the COVID-19 crisis, but also offers solutions for the healthcare and social security sectors, said Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, on Thursday, 14 October, upon receiving the traditional portfolio containing next year’s draft budget from Jānis Reirs, Minister of Finance.

Latvia and Estonia are united by a joint vision on important regional and international affairs, and our common objective is to promote the safety, prosperity and development of the Baltic region, said Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, on 14 October during her meeting with Alar Karis, President of Estonia.

Latvia and Ukraine are closely linked. Today, Ukrainians are experiencing Russian aggression most severely and are literally on the front lines, and we will continue offering a helping hand and providing practical aid. This was emphasised by Dagmāra Beitnere-Le Galla, Deputy Speaker of the Saeima, during her working visit to Kiev while meeting Ukrainian Parliament officials.

The situation near the Belarusian border is not a migrant crisis, but rather a hybrid attack, systematically planned and organised by the Lukashenko regime. It is not an attack merely against Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland, but also against the entire European Union and its value system, stressed Inese Lībiņa-Egnere, Deputy Speaker of the Saeima and Head of the Latvian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), on 6 October, during a discussion of the heads of national delegations to PACE, dedicated to the role of regional cooperation in the context of hybrid threats.

The Council of Europe must follow the developments concerning the displacement of foreign nationals near the EU-Belarusian border organised by the Lukashenko regime, stressed Inese Lībiņa‑Egnere, Deputy Speaker of the Saeima and Head of the Latvian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on Thursday, 30 September, at the PACE session in Strasbourg.