“Education is the basis for a harmonious, critically thinking, socially active and economically successful civic society. Education is also of great importance in building a resilient and viable society," said Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, on Friday, 13 May, opening the conference of the Baltic Assembly (BA) and the Baltic Council of Ministers “Education, Science and Innovation — key to sustainable and prosperous regional development in the Baltic States”.

The war in Ukraine proves that in the modern world there is a place for courage, heroism and patriotism. Moreover, without these virtues, democracy would not be able to resist tyranny. There is no such thing as too much of patriotism. If we believe in our Latvia, if we love our land, if we hold our values high, we are unbreakable, said Speaker Mūrniece, at the ceremonial sitting of the Saeima of 4 May in honour of the 32nd anniversary of the Restoration of Independence of the Republic of Latvia.

Latvia thanks the Czech Republic for its contribution to the Baltic security by participating in NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence battle group as well as in the Baltic Air Patrol Mission. It holds both a significant symbolic and practical meaning, said Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima during her working visit to the Czech Republic. 

We are united in our belief that Ukraine deserves a place in Europe. The Baltic States and the Czech Republic advocate granting the European Union (EU) candidate status to Ukraine. This was noted by Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, following the meeting in Prague between the speakers of the parliaments of the Baltic States and the officials of the Czech Parliament.

Ukraine needs strong military, political, and humanitarian support in the current circumstances. It is in Europe’s interests that Ukraine remains an independent country that has chosen to live in a democracy. At the same time, Ukraine should be given a clear perspective of joining the European Union (EU), which would be a strong motivation to endure the cruel war while fighting for its freedom. This was underlined by Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, in the Conference of Speakers of EU Parliaments in Slovenia.

One month after Russia’s invasion in Ukraine, in solidarity with the Ukrainian people and the country’s Parliament, Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, together with the parliament speakers of Lithuania and Estonia, went to Kyiv to meet with the President, Chairman of the Parliament, and Prime Minister of Ukraine. During the visit, the parliament speakers of the three Baltic States and Ukraine signed a joint declaration, condemning Russia’s aggression and expressing support for Ukraine and a fast‑track procedure for its accession to the European Union.

"The institutions of the European Union should be able to find a way to quickly respond to Ukraine’s request to accept it as a member state. The European Union is not only an institution, but also its citizens. We, the parliamentarians from the EU member states, represent the will of our voters. Ukraine must be in the European Union! Our state and our people society stand up for it,” said Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, opening the conference ”Baltic EU Conversations 2022: Immediate Challenges and Long-term Vision".

On Friday, 4 March, Speaker of the Saeima Ināra Mūrniece participated in an extraordinary remote meeting of the Speakers of Parliaments of the European Union (EU) at which the attendees heard from the Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament Ruslan Stefanchuk, as well as expressed a position against the war initiated by Russia. Speaker Mūrniece stressed that Europe is experiencing the worst times of the 21st century.

"When we used to talk about freedom, sovereignty and democracy, we took it as self-evident concepts. Now these words and their essence have a completely different meaning. War has entered the European continent. At this dangerous time, coordinated action and support for Ukraine is particularly important," stressed Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, on Friday, 4 March, during a video conference meeting with the Speakers of the Baltic and Nordic (NB8) Parliaments to discuss the current security situation in the region and the provision of support to Ukraine, which resists Russia’s military aggression and large-scale invasion.

Latvia and Azerbaijan are brought together by friendly relations and dynamic parliamentary dialogue, particularly through the close ties between the parliamentary cooperation groups of both countries. “We are keen on furthering our successful transnational cooperation,” said Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, at the main building of the Saeima on 2 February, while meeting Sahiba Gafarova, Chair of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan, who is on an official visit to Latvia, accompanied by a delegation.