“This June European Union (EU) should start accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania”, underlined Speaker Mūrniece at the annual Conference of Speakers of the European Union Parliaments that took place 8-9 April in Vienna, recognising the commitment of both countries to reforms and the progress they have achieved so far.

On Thursday, 4 April, the Saeima in the final reading adopted amendments to the Law on the Handling of Tobacco Products providing that retail outlets will no longer be allowed to display tobacco products for customers, and it will only be possible to purchase tobacco products by choosing them from a price list.

On Wednesday, 3 April, the Saeima in the final reading and as a matter of urgency adopted the Law on the State Budget for 2019 and 14 draft laws related to the budget. 

“We established our own independent state, we fought for it and we have restored it. Now, strengthening our nation is a collective task, both for the National Armed Forces and society as a whole. Our nation will endure as long as we are prepared to defend it”, said Speaker Mūrniece on Thursday, 28 March, marking the 15th anniversary since Latvia became a NATO member, on a visit to National Armed Forces military base in Ādaži where she was accompanied by Members of Parliament.

On Thursday, 21 March, a new Law was adopted in the final reading to ensure judicial cooperation and protection of personal rights during the transition period after the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (EU).

To face current challenges, a close and active cooperation is needed between the countries of the Baltic and Nordic regions, emphasised Speaker Mūrniece at a meeting with Andreas Norlén, Speaker of the Riksdag, Åsa Lindestam, First Deputy Speaker, and Members of Parliament from the Committees on Foreign Affairs, Defence and European Union Affairs, during her official visit to the Parliament of Sweden.

"Latvia and Sweden share a special relationship. Being of a similar mind-set, together our countries can achieve more. In the European Union, the united voice of the Nordic countries and the Baltic States carries more weight," emphasised Speaker Mūrniece at a meeting with Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven during her official visit to Stockholm.

"Latvia and Georgia share an active parliamentary cooperation. I congratulate Georgia on its 100th anniversary of parliamentarianism," said Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, during the meeting with Tea Maisuradze, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to the Republic of Latvia, on her introductory visit to the Saeima.

On Thursday, 28 February, the Saeima adopted amendments to the Law on State Social Benefits in the second reading under urgent procedure, according to which a guardian will be able to receive allowance for taking care of a child under guardianship also after having moved permanently abroad together with the ward.

Irrespective of the occupation you choose, it is important to preserve the values: integrity, equity, Latvianness, in order for Latvia to exist for centuries to come.  For each of us, Latvia is the big task for the future, said Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, on Wednesday, 13 February, to the participants of the Job Shadow Day at the Saeima.