On Thursday, 21 June, the Saeima in the third reading adopted amendments to the Immigration Law. According to the amendments, foreign students, researchers and their host institutions, such as educational establishments and research institutes, will benefit from simplified administrative procedures.

On Thursday, 21 June, the Saeima adopted as urgent in the final reading amendments to the Law on Holidays, Remembrance Days and Days to be Marked making the day of His Holiness Pope Francis’ to  visit Latvia, 24 September 2018, a holiday. 

“We are grateful to Slovakia for its contribution to the security of Latvia and the Baltic region. We are extremely happy that Slovak troops will join the NATO enhanced Forward Presence battle group in Latvia this July. Your participation in the NATO battle group reaffirms the Alliance’s unwavering commitment to the strengthening of security in our region,” said Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima during the meeting with Andrej Danko, Speaker of the Slovak parliament (the National Council), on Tuesday, 12 June.

Upon welcoming the King of the Netherlands, Willem-Alexander, to the Saeima on Monday, 11 June, Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, expressed her appreciation for the friendly ties, active political dialogue and economic cooperation between Latvia and the Netherlands. She also underlined the symbolic timing of His Majesty’s visit, as it coincides with Latvia’s centenary celebrations.

“There is a considerable Latvian community in Ireland, actively contributing to Irish society and economy. At the same time, it is important for us to make sure our fellow compatriots preserve their bond with their homeland, their national identity and culture. Protection of Latvian citizens’ interests abroad is one of the priorities of the Parliament,” underlined Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, while meeting with Seán Ó Fearghaíl, Chairperson of the Lower House of the Parliament of Ireland, on Monday, 28 May.

On Thursday, 17 May, Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, met in Kramatorsk with Pavlo Zhebrivskyi, Head of the Donetsk Regional State Administration. The Speaker of the Saeima promised her host Latvia’s continued steadfast support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. Zhebrivskyi thanked Speaker Mūrniece and the accompanying Members of the Saeima for their visit, emphasising its significance. “We do not feel abandoned to fend for ourselves against the aggressor,” Zhebrivskyi said.  

On Wednesday, 16 May, Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, met with Andriy Parubiy, Chair of the Ukrainian parliament. Speaker Mūrniece noted that “Latvia has always supported and will continue to support Ukraine both politically and practically. It is crucial to carry on the undertaken reforms in order to further the national development of Ukraine. Latvia will continue to share its reform experience with Ukraine, including in the areas of good governance, corruption prevention, education and agriculture.”

On Friday, 4 May, Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, addressed the ceremonial sitting of the Saeima in honour of the 28th anniversary of the restoration of independence of the Republic of Latvia. In her address, Spearker Mūrniece emphasised that: “Latvia is a part of us, and it genuinely needs us. Just as the members of the Supreme Council were when voting in favour of restoring the independence of Latvia, today we must also be great in what we think and what we do to be able to defend our Latvia.”

From now on, banks registered in Latvia will be prohibited to do business with shell companies and service their accounts. On Thursday, 26 April, the Saeima adopted amendments in the Law on the Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing, banning shell companies.