For the first time a debate on foreign policy and European Union matters will be held in the Saeima at the end of January.

“This convocation of the Saeima will introduce a new tradition. Debates on foreign policy and European Union matters will be held in January each year to commemorate the anniversary of international de jure recognition of Latvia. Members of the 10th Saeima will have to establish this tradition by shaping the debates into a high-quality contribution by the parliament to common foreign policy discussions. I also regard the debates as another initiative that fosters the openness of the parliament and improves communication of its decisions to the general public,” pointed out Speaker Solvita Āboltiņa.

Pursuant to the Rules of Procedure of the Saeima, not later than by January 16  the Minister for Foreign Affairs should submit to the Saeima the annual report, approved by the Prime Minister, on the performance and planned future activities in foreign policy. The report also contains information on the performance and planned future activities regarding European Union matters.

The Presidium includes the annual report submitted by the Minister for Foreign Affairs in the agenda of the regular plenary sitting closest to the date of international (de jure) recognition of the Republic of Latvia (January 26 ).

Upon reviewing the above report in the plenary sitting, the floor is first given to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and then the debate follows.

The foreign ambassadors residing in Latvia will be invited to follow the debate in person.

Amendments to the Rules of Procedure of the Saeima that provide for conducting debates on foreign policy were adopted by the Saeima in the Autumn 2010.

Saeima Press Service