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.
Press releases
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.
On Tuesday, 2 June, participants of the plenary meeting of COSAC (Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs of Parliaments of the European Union) adopted a joint statement expressing concern about the decision of the authorities of the Russian Federation to ban the entry of European politicians and officials, including several prominent and high-ranking members of the European Parliament and national parliaments, into the territory of the Russian Federation.
Ināra Mūrniece: Aggression in Ukraine confirms that the EU must strengthen its sanctions against Russia (01.06.2015.)
On Monday, 1 June, Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, addressed the participants of the plenary meeting of the LIII COSAC (Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs of Parliaments of the European Union), which is held in Riga 1-2 June and gathers nearly 300 European parliamentarians, including members of the European Parliament, as well as high public officials and experts on European affairs. “The Latvian Presidency of the Council of the EU is facing several challenges, including the Kremlin’s aggression in Ukraine and the refugee crisis in the Mediterranean. These challenges are testing EU’s unity. Therefore, we had to react quickly during these six months. We and Europe as a whole had to respond swiftly to challenges such as the terrorist attacks in Paris, Belgium and Copenhagen, as well as the Kremlin’s aggression in Ukraine”, said the Speaker.
“The Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the entire EU has demonstrated its ability to face challenges during these six months. This is also attested by the College of Commissioners, which has announced legislative proposals in areas that require immediate action. These include the situation in Ukraine, the fight against terrorism, the refugee crisis in the Mediterranean, as well as several issues regarding entrepreneurship”, said Lolita Čigāne, Chairperson of the European Affairs Committee of the Saeima.
Ināra Mūrniece at the Saeima and NGO forum: Politicians must not disregard public opinion (01.06.2015.)
Political processes need fresh air to be successful, and that can be supplied by a civil society characterised by maturity, self-respect and active civic involvement, said Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, on Friday, 29 May, at the opening of the annual Saeima and NGO forum on Involvement, Equality and Solidarity – Modern Values for Security and Freedom.
Invitation to a press conference on highlights of the EU – US free trade agreement negotiations (29.05.2015.)
On Monday, 1 June, as a part of the plenary meeting of the LIII COSAC (Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs of the Parliaments of the European Union) organised by the Saeima, a press conference will be held on the latest developments in the EU – US Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations.
Representatives of European affairs committees of all national parliaments of the EU to meet in Riga next week (25.05.2015.)
On 1 and 2 June, the plenary meeting of the LIII COSAC (Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs of Parliaments of the European Union) will gather in Riga nearly 300 European parliamentarians, including members of the European Parliament, as well as high public officials and experts on European affairs. This will be one of the six events hosted by the Saeima within the framework of the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the EU.