“Strong media and close transnational cooperation are key elements of dealing with the current hybrid threats”, highlighted Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, opening a high-level conference dedicated to the strengthening of the security in the Baltic region on Friday, 13 May.

On Friday, 13 May, the Saeima hosted Baltic Assembly conference ‘Security in the Baltic Region: Current Developments and the Way Ahead’. “Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania need to step up the defence cooperation to strengthen the security of all three Baltic countries; therefore the Baltic Assembly (BA) is currently working toward a common regional framework for defence procurements, joint masters programme for region’s security services, and regular tactical training,” stressed Jānis Vucāns, BA President.

On Monday, 9 May, Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, addressed the Europe Day celebration event organised at the Small Guild by the Representation of the European Commission in Latvia by saying: “To celebrate Europe Day – 9 May – means to celebrate peace. It is not a day of triumph over somebody. It is a day to look toward the future.” 

On Wednesday, 4 May, the ceremonial presentation of a portrait of Zigfrīds Anna Meierovics, one of the founders of the Latvian Parliament, took place in the Main Building of the Saeima. The painting is a gift from the speakers of the Saeima appointed after the restoration of independence.

On the Day of the Restoration of the Independence of the Republic of Latvia, establishing the White Tablecloth Celebration tradition, the Saeima paid tribute to the members of the Supreme Council who on 4 May 1990 adopted the Declaration on the Restoration of Independence.

On Wednesday, 4 May, Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, addressed the ceremonial parliament sitting in honour of the 26th anniversary of the restoration of independence of the Republic of Latvia saying “What we need is to reach over the boundaries of our personal life. We need to do deeds that transcend time. We need a little heroic ambition for Latvia’s sake. Today on 4 May we celebrate Latvia, and it will live as long as it is in our hearts.”

On Thursday, 21 April, the Saeima in the second and final reading adopted urgent amendments to the Criminal Law, clarifying and improving the first draft of the amendments which stipulate new regulations regarding crimes against the state. The amendments have been drafted with the aim of bringing the relevant section of the Law up-to-date and providing means to address threats to Latvia’s security posed by hybrid warfare, by establishing measures of criminal justice to respond in a timely manner to possible threats on the fundamental interests of the state.