Press releases

On Monday, 6 February, the Presidium of the Saeima approved the Steering Committee for planning the parliamentary dimension of the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU). The Committee, which includes representatives of all the parliamentary groups and the group of unaffiliated MPs, will draft a programme of parliamentary events for Latvia’s EU Presidency. 
Āboltiņa calls on the Baltic States to join efforts in obtaining more equitable allocation of EU funds
On Monday, 30 January, in her meeting with the ministers of agriculture from the Baltic States, Solvita Āboltiņa, Speaker of the Saeima, stressed that the three countries should join their efforts and use all available resources to ensure that the next Multiannual Financial Framework of the European Union (EU) is more favourable for the Baltic States.
Saeima holds foreign policy debate
On Thursday, 26 January, the Saeima held a plenary sitting devoted to Latvia’s foreign policy and European Union (EU) issues.
On Friday, 20 January, Solvita Āboltiņa, Speaker of the Saeima, when meeting with the journalists who covered the events of the Barricades of 1991, pointed out: “The first independent Republic of Latvia that was established in 1918 existed for almost 22 years. This symbolic age is approaching once again. The times have definitely changed, and a military invasion of our country is almost impossible. In the 21st century there are other ways of undermining a free state and depriving people of it. Currently, certain politicians are stirring up people who have co-existed peacefully in Latvia for centuries.”
On Thursday, 19 January, the Saeima adopted in the final reading amendments to the Rules of Procedure of the Saeima which repeal election of public officials by a secret ballot, envisage the right of at least 10,000 citizens to submit collective submissions and amend the list of committees of the Saeima.
Young artists sketch proceedings of plenary sitting and draw portraits of MPs
In order to continue the tradition of the Saeima to take part in cooperation projects with art schools, this year aspiring artists will again be given a chance to sketch the proceedings of a plenary sitting of the Saeima and draw portraits of MPs.
On Friday, 13 January, the European Affairs Committee of the Saeima supported the national position On the International Treaty on a Reinforced Economic Union, which explains Latvia’s views on drafting the new Treaty of the European Union (EU).
 On Thursday, 12 January, the Saeima adopted in the final reading amendments to the Law on the State Border of the Republic of Latvia, according to which truck drivers will have an option to apply electronically for crossing the border between Russia and Latvia and thus avoid long queues near the border.
On Thursday, 12 January, the Saeima adopted in the final reading amendments to the Personal Identification Documents Law, according to which a new type of personal identification document – the identity card – will be introduced in Latvia and will be broadly accepted instead of the passport.
The Presidium of the Saeima decided today to schedule the annual foreign policy debate in the Saeima for 26 January.
Piektdien, 29.martā