The future security of the European Union depends on strengthening the sense of belonging to Western values and politics among Eastern neighbours of the European Union. The Eastern Partnership is an excellent format for closer relations with the East European and Central Asian countries. This was asserted by Solvita Āboltiņa, Speaker of the Saeima, when she met with Senator Chris Murphy, Chairman of the Subcommittee on European Affairs, during her working visit to the United States of America.
The Speaker stressed that the Eastern Partnership will be high on the agenda during the Latvian presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2015, when Latvia plans to host the Eastern Partnership Summit.
Latvia supports the work done by the incumbent Lithuanian presidency and the planned signing of the Association Agreement between the EU and Ukraine, which might take place in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius during the summit in November of this year, stressed Āboltiņa at the meeting with the Senator. She also affirmed our country’s positive stance with regard to initialling the association agreements with Moldova and Georgia. Moreover, Speaker Āboltiņa was certain that Latvia’s experience confirms that the criteria for EU membership are realistic.
During the meeting, the policy pursued by the Russian Federation regarding the region covered by the Eastern Partnership was also discussed. Āboltiņa found Russia’s attempts to undermine the adoption of Western values by the Eastern Partnership countries irrational, and she concluded that Russia is not ready for a serious dialogue. The Speaker pointed out that the EU strongly insists on maintaining its requirements regarding its Eastern partners and is committed to providing support in resisting the pressure exercised by Russia.
From 7 to 11 October, Solvita Āboltiņa, Speaker of the Saeima, is on a working visit to the United States of America. During the visit, Āboltiņa is meeting with John Boehner, Speaker of the House of Representatives; Michael Nutter, Mayor of Philadelphia, and Alan Greenberger, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development for the City of Philadelphia. Several meetings are arranged to deepen insights into the U.S. business environment and the Latvian diaspora. At the German Marshall Fund of the United States, the Speaker is also taking part in a discussion about Latvia’s role in the European Union and the future of Europe, and she is visiting the U.S. Congress, Victims of Communism Memorial and an American school.
Saeima Press Service