Latvia will withdraw from the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, and Production of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction (Ottawa Convention), provides a law adopted by the Saeima in the final reading as a matter of urgency on Wednesday, 16 April.

“To strengthen their defence capabilities, the countries in our region have stepped up their security investments. We need to work out a strategy on how we can most effectively cooperate in the military industry directly among the countries of our region,” said Daiga Mieriņa, Speaker of the Saeima, welcoming Andreas Norlén, Speaker of the Parliament of the Kingdom of Sweden, at the Latvian Parliament on Wednesday, 16 April.

“You must be brave in defending your democracy through firm adherence to the rule of law. Future generations will thank you for it,” emphasised Speaker of the Saeima Daiga Mieriņa on Monday, 14 April, during a meeting in Chișinău with the President of Moldova, Maia Sandu.

“We enjoy excellent parliamentary cooperation. Since 2024, the Saeima has also supported practical training programmes for staff of the National Assembly of Moldova, and we are committed to continuing this initiative this year,” stated Speaker of the Saeima, Daiga Mieriņa, on Monday, 14 April, during a meeting in Chișinău with the Speaker of the Moldovan Parliament, Igor Grosu.

In an effort to boost the development of the crypto asset market in Latvia, on Thursday, 10 April, the Saeima adopted in the final reading amendments to the Law on Personal Income Tax. The amendments stipulate that personal income tax is not applicable to income gained by foreign taxpayers (non-residents) from the disposal of publicly traded crypto assets.

“Foreign interference a threat to democratic security in Europe”, a report prepared by Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, Deputy Speaker of the Saeima and Head of the Latvian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, was adopted by an overwhelming majority at the Assembly’s spring session in Strasbourg. 

Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, Deputy Speaker of the Saeima and Head of the Latvian Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, met in Strasbourg with Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, to discuss the Council's current agenda and the situation in several member states. Both officials agreed that democracy must adapt to the new age without compromising its core values.

To mark the 30th anniversary of Latvia’s accession to the Council of Europe, a high-level debate “Democracy in Danger” took place on Tuesday, 8 April, during the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).

“This is undoubtedly a time of heightened stakes. It is a dangerous moment, but also one rich in opportunity—provided we know how to seize it. Today, foreign policy is no longer merely theoretical; it has a direct impact on the security, economy, and very existence of society,” emphasised Deputy Speaker of the Saeima, Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, on Friday, 4 April, at the opening of the conference “EU Conversations: Europe for the New Age” held at the Parliament. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the conference.

“Today, freedom and its meaning are just as important as they were 35 years ago. It is our duty to teach that freedom must be cared for every single day. Responsibility for our country must be assumed by each of us—both young and old. It is we, the people of Latvia, who shape our nation,” emphasised the Speaker of the Saeima, Daiga Mieriņa, on Friday, 4 April, addressing attendees at the conference Baltic Spring and the Latvian Will, dedicated to the Declaration on the Restoration of Independence. This year marks the 35th anniversary of the restoration of Latvia’s independence.