“Russia’s aggression in Ukraine undermines the system of international law, which has been developed over 70 years. It is in the interest of every member of the international community that we return to implementation of the rules based system. International organizations must encourage the implementation of the Minsk agreements,” Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, emphasised in her address to the 4th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in New York on Monday, 31 August. When discussing peace as a prerequisite for sustainable global development, she remarked that unfortunately war has become a daily reality in many places for many people – in Syria, Iraq and also Ukraine.
Press releases
Ināra Mūrniece at the Meeting of Women Speakers in New York: Latvia is among global champions in women leadership (29.08.2015.)
“Today, Latvia is a real leader in terms of women leadership - be it politics, business, judiciary or academia. Latvia’s success has been recognised by the World Economic Forum 2014, ranking Latvia among the leading 15 states in the world. In terms of gender balance on the boards of top-listed companies, Latvia is among the frontrunners in Europe, where 40% of board members are women,” said Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, addressing the participants of the 10th Meeting of Women Speakers of Parliament, held in New York on Saturday, 29 August.
“International community must continue supporting Ukraine both on the political level and with specific aid initiatives,” Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, stressed during her meeting with Lithuanian counterpart Loreta Graužinienė on Monday, 3 August. The two met as part of Graužinienė’s working visit to Latvia.
On Wednesday, 15 July, members of the European Affairs Committee were updated on the latest developments in Greece and the euro area. Members of the Committee learned that even if today the Hellenic parliament approves the reform agreement adopted by the extraordinary Euro Summit meeting on 12 July, and the countries of the euro area decide to give a new loan to Greece, the assistance will not be covered from national budgets of Latvia or any other country.
Raimonds Vējonis sworn in as President (08.07.2015.)
On Wednesday, 8 July, during the extraordinary plenary sitting of the Saeima, Raimonds Vējonis assumed his duties of office and took the solemn oath: “I swear that all of my work will be dedicated to the welfare of the people of Latvia. I will do everything in my power to promote the prosperity of the Republic of Latvia and all who live here. I will hold sacred and will observe the Constitution of Latvia and the laws of the State. I will act justly towards all and will fulfil my duties conscientiously.”
Speaker of the Saeima awards certificates of merit to entrepreneurs and diplomats who supported the Latvian Presidency (27.06.2015.)
On Friday, 26 June 2015, Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, awarded certificates of merit to supporters of the Latvian presidency of the Council of the European Union.
On Saturday, 27 June, Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, opened the 76th EU-US interparliamentary meeting by thanking the U.S. for supporting Latvia’s security. “We highly appreciate the leading role the U.S. have taken in reinforcing the NATO Air Policing Mission over the Baltic States, organising military training and organising high-level visits to our region,” said Speaker Mūrniece to the members of the U.S. Congress and the European Parliament. With regard to developments in Ukraine, the Speaker of the Saeima expressed concerns about implementation of the Minsk agreements. “Violent confrontations continue, and people are dying every day. Consequently, the EU extended sanctions against Russia till January. We should make sure that further restrictive measures are imposed if Russia continues its aggression in Ukraine. Our strong and unified action is a key in the quest for the most effective means to deal with the situation,” noted Ināra Mūrniece.
On Saturday, 27 June, Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, will open the 76th EU-US Transatlantic Legislators’ Dialogue (TLD) meeting at the Saeima.
The Presidium of the Baltic Assembly in its Statement on the so-called Treaty on Alliance and Integration between the Russian Federation and Georgia’s breakaway region of Tskhinvali/South Ossetia emphasises that the Baltic Assembly does not recognise the so-called Treaty on Alliance and Integration signed between the Russian Federation and the Tskhinvali/South Ossetia region of Georgia on 18 March 2015. Signing of the so-called Treaty on Alliance and Integration contradicts ongoing efforts to strengthen security and stability in the region and will only complicate regional peace-building efforts.
Saeima elects Raimonds Vējonis as President of Latvia (04.06.2015.)
On Wednesday, 3 June, Raimonds Vējonis was elected as the President of Latvia. In the fifth round of elections, using a secret ballot, 55 MPs voted for and 42 MPs voted against Vējonis.