Gallery
On Thursday, 16 October, during her official visit to Moldova, Inese Lībiņa-Egnere, Deputy Speaker of the Saeima, met with Liliana Palihovici, Vice Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, and emphasised that Latvia and Moldova have all the prerequisites for stronger parliamentary ties: excellent political dialogue, interparliamentary cooperation groups in both parliaments and mutual willingness to cooperate on the sectoral committee level.
Lībiņa-Egnere noted that the administrations of both parliaments have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, thus attesting to Latvia’s willingness to continue sharing its experience in implementing reforms, as well as the Saeima’s willingness to share its experience in streamlining the legislative process, improving parliamentary scrutiny over the government, informing society about the work of the parliament, using information technology in law-making and maintaining a constant dialogue with civil society. Deputy Speakers of the Latvian parliament Inese Lībiņa-Egnere and Andrejs Klementjevs pointed out that social dialogue is one of the main priorities of the Latvian parliament; therefore, the Moldovan colleagues are welcome to visit the Saeima and learn from Latvia’s experience in this area.
During the meeting, the officials of both parliaments agreed that the bilateral relations between Latvia and Moldova are strong and friendly and that both countries are interested in further expanding their cooperation on all levels and in all fields, including trade, education, culture and tourism. Inese Lībiņa-Egnere stressed that the close relations between the two countries are built on common historical experience and thus on a common understanding of the past and of future aspirations.
When discussing EU-Moldova relations, Lībiņa-Egnere emphasised that the signing of the EU-Moldova Association Agreement in June 2014 was a significant turning point which will expand EU-Moldova cooperation. Inese Lībiņa-Egnere also expressed hope that during the Eastern Partnership Summit in Riga scheduled for May 2015, the EU and Moldova will be able to make an initial assessment of the implementation of the Association Agreement. Liliana Palihovici expressed her gratitude to Latvia for being one of the first countries to ratify the EU-Moldova Association Agreement, thereby attesting to Latvia’s consistent support of Moldova and its European aspirations. She also thanked Latvia for supporting Moldova during the negotiations on a visa-free regime with the countries of the Schengen area.
During the meeting, Lībiņa-Egnere and Palihovici touched upon women’s role in politics, a topic that is currently on the agenda of the Moldovan parliament.
Latvian and Moldovan public officials also addressed the security situation in the region and developments in eastern Ukraine. In this regard, Lībiņa-Egnere emphasised the importance of the ceasefire agreement, stressing that both conflicting parties have to respect the ceasefire and prevent a frozen conflict.
From 15 to 18 October, Inese Lībiņa-Egnere and Andrejs Klementjevs, Deputy Speakers of the Saeima, are on a working visit to the Republic of Moldova.
Saeima Press Service