On Monday, 9 May, Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, addressed the Europe Day celebration event organised at the Small Guild by the Representation of the European Commission in Latvia by saying: “To celebrate Europe Day – 9 May – means to celebrate peace. It is not a day of triumph over somebody. It is a day to look toward the future.”
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Honourable Prime Minister,
On Wednesday, 4 May, the ceremonial presentation of a portrait of Zigfrīds Anna Meierovics, one of the founders of the Latvian Parliament, took place in the Main Building of the Saeima. The painting is a gift from the speakers of the Saeima appointed after the restoration of independence.
Members of Supreme Council who voted for Latvia’s independence honoured at the White Tabelcloth Celebration at the Saeima (04.05.2016.)
On the Day of the Restoration of the Independence of the Republic of Latvia, establishing the White Tablecloth Celebration tradition, the Saeima paid tribute to the members of the Supreme Council who on 4 May 1990 adopted the Declaration on the Restoration of Independence.
On Wednesday, 4 May, Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, addressed the ceremonial parliament sitting in honour of the 26th anniversary of the restoration of independence of the Republic of Latvia saying “What we need is to reach over the boundaries of our personal life. We need to do deeds that transcend time. We need a little heroic ambition for Latvia’s sake. Today on 4 May we celebrate Latvia, and it will live as long as it is in our hearts.”
On Thursday, 21 April, the Saeima in the second and final reading adopted urgent amendments to the Criminal Law, clarifying and improving the first draft of the amendments which stipulate new regulations regarding crimes against the state. The amendments have been drafted with the aim of bringing the relevant section of the Law up-to-date and providing means to address threats to Latvia’s security posed by hybrid warfare, by establishing measures of criminal justice to respond in a timely manner to possible threats on the fundamental interests of the state.
Speaker Mūrniece in Canada: strong transatlantic relationship serves our common security interests (15.04.2016.)
On Thursday, 14 April, during her official visit to Canada Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, met with high-ranking officials of the Senate and House of Commons. Speaker Mūrniece emphasised the importance of the partnership between Canada and Latvia, expressing appreciation for Canada’s practical contribution to strengthening security. She also underlined the close bilateral cooperation in implementing the decisions taken at the Wales Summit, and confirmed Latvia’s willingness to further develop cooperation within NATO, especially in light of the upcoming Warsaw Summit, where Canada’s political support will be crucial in reaching an agreement on long-term presence of NATO forces in the Baltics.
“The United States of America is Latvia’s most important strategic partner, and we greatly appreciate the US support, inter alia, in strengthening our national defence and border protection capabilities,” Ināra Mūrniece, the Speaker of the Saeima, emphasised when meeting with high-ranking Congress officials during her visit to the USA.
Ināra Mūrniece in Washington, D.C.: Holocaust victims will be forever remembered by Latvia (12.04.2016.)
“The Holocaust is an unfathomable historic tragedy for the Jewish people and Latvia as a country. Holocaust victims will always be remembered in Latvia,” said Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, as she visited the Holocaust Memorial Museum during her working visit to the United States.
Speaker of the Saeima: Latvian diaspora plays a pivotal role during decisive moments for Latvia (11.04.2016.)
“We know and appreciate that Latvian Americans have always cherished the idea of an independent Latvia. The Latvian diaspora has played a pivotal part at critical points for Latvia – during the soviet occupation, in our efforts to raise international awareness about the occupation, and when we needed support for joining NATO. Latvia still needs you today when we are faced with information warfare targeting the minds and hearts of our people,” underlined Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima.