On Monday, 31 March, Solvita Āboltiņa, Speaker of the Saeima, during her official visit to Georgia, met with David Usupashvili, Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, and emphasised that Latvia supports the signing of the Association Agreement between the European Union and Georgia as early as possible in 2014 because it would clearly signal the determination of both sides to deepen their relations on the basis of European and democratic values.

“Latvia has a very close political dialogue with Georgia at all levels. We share a similar historical experience, values and vision for the future of Europe. I am pleased that my return visit to the Parliament of Georgia, coming at a time when Europe is facing the most serious geopolitical challenges since the end of the Cold War, gives me an opportunity to reaffirm our unwavering support to Georgia and our solidarity with the people of Georgia,” said the Speaker of the Saeima when describing the relations of the two countries.When Georgia faced difficulties after the restoration of its independence, the people of Latvia were united in their support to the people of Georgia. Today, when facing great threats to democracy, we can be strong only if we stand together, stressed Solvita Āboltiņa.

Both officials agreed that the active interparliamentary relations groups established in both parliaments and cooperation between sectoral committees contribute to close relations between both legislatures. Āboltiņa informed her counterpart that the group for interparliamentary relations with Georgia is one of the largest groups at the Saeima. Concurrently, Speaker Āboltiņa confirmed the readiness of the Saeima to participate and assist in solving security-related problems stemming from the democratisation process in Georgia, something that is very important to Latvia as an EU member state.During the meeting, the Speaker of the Saeima also acknowledged that Latvia and Georgia are close allies and friends, and that Latvia greatly appreciates the open and active dialogue between the two countries, continues to support Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations and praises Georgia’s achievements in this regard.

“I believe that the European Neighbourhood Policy has to be one of the priorities on the EU agenda for 2014. The European Neighbourhood Policy will be among the top priorities of the Latvian presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2015, and in May 2015, we are planning to host the Eastern Partnership Summit in Riga,” said Solvita Āboltiņa.The Speaker of the Saeima said that Latvia is willing to share with Georgia its democratic and reform experience obtained during its transatlantic integration.

Concurrently, Āboltiņa noted that it is imperative for Georgia to continue strengthening good governance, promoting the establishment of strong political institutions, as well as implementing an effective economic growth policy. During her meeting with the Speaker of the Georgian parliament, Āboltiņa pointed out that any country aspiring to join the EU must safeguard political pluralism, an effective and politically independent judiciary, and the rule of law.

She also emphasised the need for a dialogue among the Georgian government, the opposition, and civil society.Both officials agreed that the liberalisation of the visa regime is currently the most tangible benefit of the European integration process for the people of the Eastern Partnership countries because it brings them closer to Europe. The Speaker of the Saeima acknowledged that Latvia is willing to continue visa liberalisation with all Eastern Partnership countries. 

When addressing the situation in Ukraine, Speaker Āboltiņa stated that Latvia does not recognise the so-called Crimean referendum and Russia’s annexation of the Crimean peninsula. The “referendum”, held in the illegitimate presence of Russian troops, grossly violated Ukraine’s Constitution. Āboltiņa stressed that this is an unprecedented case; it is even more alarming because it violates the Budapest Memorandum whereby Russia, along with the US and the UK, undertook to guarantee the independence, territorial integrity, and security of Ukraine.“Once again Russia is ignoring international law; therefore, the international community has to continue imposing political and economic sanctions until Russia confirms its readiness to start a peaceful political dialogue,” said Āboltiņa.

The Speaker of the Saeima also stressed that at present it is important for the EU to demonstrate a uniform position and take joint measures regarding the situation in Ukraine, such as signing the political chapter of the Association Agreement and continuing to work on the rest of the chapters. 

The bilateral relations of Latvia and Georgia were also discussed during the meeting between Solvita Āboltiņa and Maia Panjikidze, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Georgia. On 31 March, the Speaker of the Saeima is also scheduled to take part in the official opening of the Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Latvia in Tbilisi and to meet with the representatives of the Latvian diaspora. Solvita Āboltiņa, Speaker of the Saeima, is on an official visit to Georgia until 2 April. During her visit, she is also scheduled to meet with Giorgi Margvelashvili, President of Georgia; Tedo Japaridze, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Parliament of Georgia; Irakli Garibashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia, and other public officials. The Speaker of the Saeima is visiting Georgia upon an invitation extended to her by David Usupashvili, Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, during his visit to Latvia on 4-5 November 2013.
  
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Saeima Press Service