Ukraine can count on Latvia’s unwavering support at all levels, including on the issue of Ukraine’s requisite accession to the European Union (EU). We are actively working with our EU colleagues to ensure that accession negotiations would start already in June this year, said Daiga Mieriņa, Speaker of the Saeima, on Thursday, 4 April, meeting with Denys Shmyhal, Prime Minister of Ukraine, at the Latvian parliament. The Speaker also informed that the Saeima would develop a knowledge transfer and training programme for the Ukrainian parliament administration to help promote Ukraine’s integration in the EU. 

“Today, Latvia’s membership in the strongest political and military alliance seems axiomatic. A whole generation of Latvians have enjoyed the security, defence and sense of support provided by NATO. This allows us to develop ourselves, but also allows us to help others,” Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, Deputy Speaker of the Saeima, highlighted on Wednesday, 27 March, opening a photo exhibition at the Saeima dedicated to the 20th anniversary of Latvia’s membership to NATO.

To prevent passengers from being defrauded when unscrupulous taxi providers charge exorbitant fares, a maximum fare will be introduced for taxi journeys from the airport or other transport infrastructure sites of international importance as well as the option of pre-payment. The Saeima approved these amendments to the Law on Carriage by Road in the third and final reading on Wednesday, 27 March.

On Wednesday, 27 March, the Saeima adopted in the final reading the Defence Industry Law, aimed at ensuring the secure supply of goods and services necessary for fulfilling the state defence tasks of the National Armed Forces and international obligations, while also fostering the growth of the defence industry.

Latvia is and will remain one of the strongest supporters of Moldova's European integration. We consider that the accession negotiations with Moldova and Ukraine need to start in the coming months, during the Belgian Presidency, said Daiga Mieriņa, Speaker of the Saeima, during a meeting with Igor Grosu, Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, at the Saeima on Tuesday, 26 March.

In order to improve social guarantees for persons working in Latvia and Moldova, on Thursday, 21 March, the Saeima in the second and final reading supported a draft law ratifying the Latvia-Moldova Social Security Agreement.

On Thursday, 21 March, the Saeima in the third and final reading adopted amendments to the Energy Law aimed to facilitate the installation of high-voltage external engineering networks, by simplifying procedures to coordinate the rebuilding with the owners of the affected land.

Senior officials of local governments will have to receive a special permit for access to official secret. This is foreseen by the amendments to the Law "On Official Secret" and changes to the Local Government Law supported in the final reading by the Saeima on Thursday, 21 March. Changes in laws have been initiated by the President of Latvia.