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“The European Union and its member states are facing increasingly serious hybrid threats, including disinformation, cyber-attacks, and threats to energy security. These threats are a part of a broader strategy implemented by Russia in an attempt to undermine our democracies and impact our decisions,” said Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, Deputy Speaker of the Saeima, during a meeting with Florin-Alexandru Alexe, Vice‑Chairman of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of Romania, in Bucharest on Monday, 28 November.

The parliamentarians focused in particular on energy security and the fight against disinformation, the spread of propaganda, as well as the need to restrict hate speech. In light of the current situation in Europe, cooperation between like-minded countries is becoming increasingly important to prevent hybrid threats, boost the resilience of our countries, and reduce our dependence on authoritative regimes in areas such as energy.

Deputy Speaker of the Saeima Kalniņa-Lukaševica emphasised that Russia is ready to use a wide range of hybrid weapons to achieve its goals. It is therefore crucial to strengthen our cooperation within the EU, NATO, and other formats to prevent hybrid threats and improve our resilience.

Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica and Florin-Alexandru Alexe both agreed that mutual exchange of experience is one of the important elements in limiting disinformation and propaganda, as well as promoting media literacy.

“Romania and Latvia are close partners in the area of security in a bilateral and NATO format. We appreciate Romania’s decision to renew its participation in the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission,” highlighted Deputy Speaker Kalniņa-Lukaševica.

During the meeting, the Deputy Speaker pointed out that it is crucial to continue providing assistance to Ukraine. We must protect the rule-based international order and use all possible mechanisms to investigate and prosecute the war crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine, said Deputy Speaker Kalniņa-Lukaševica.

The Deputy Speaker is on a visit to Bucharest, Romania, until 29 November. Bucharest is hosting the Munich Leaders Meeting. The agenda for the Bucharest Meeting includes security issues related to Russia’s war in Ukraine, as well as the development of Eastern and South-East Europe, including the future of the Western Balkan and the Black Sea regions. The Munich Leaders Meeting takes place once or twice per year in various capital cities around the world.

Saeima Press Service