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“Latvia and Lithuania must continue the synchronisation of the electricity networks of the Baltic States and the Rail Baltica project at full speed. Our parliaments also have an important role to play in facilitating the implementation of infrastructure projects that are crucial for the region," emphasised Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, on Monday, March 1, during the meeting with Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, Speaker of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania.

Speakers of both Parliaments expressed satisfaction that despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the cooperation between the Saeima and the newly elected Lithuanian Seimas and the government has started successfully by actively engaging in remote communication for coordination. “Our parliamentary cooperation both at the bilateral level and in the Baltic Assembly has a strong tradition. We also want to continue our traditionally close contacts at the level of parliamentary committees and groups,” said Mūrniece.

Speaker of the Saeima expressed satisfaction with the active cooperation of the Foreign Affairs Committees of both Parliaments in strengthening the transatlantic dialogue. The USA is Europe’s closest strategic partner, and we have common long-term goals, said Mūrniece, confirming her interest in joint efforts to promote the US Congress’s long-term support for security and defence of the Baltic States.

“I am convinced that the Baltic States, taking into account our historical experience, must undertake a mission to explain to the Western allies what is happening in Russia and the countries of the Eastern Partnership region of the European Union. We would like to continue the initiative launched in previous years, with the Speakers of the Baltic and Nordic (NB8) parliaments visiting the Eastern Partnership countries together and providing them with support in the democratisation process," said Mūrniece.

Both parties agreed on the importance of mutual coordination in order to overcome the crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Lithuanian Speaker also met Rihards Kols, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Saeima, Jānis Vucāns, Chair of the Baltic Affairs Subcommittee and Head of the Latvian Delegation to the Baltic Assembly, as well as Uldis Budriķis, Chair of the Group for promoting cooperation with the Parliament of Lithuania.

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Saeima Press Service