We live at a time when democratic values are under threat. There is a need for political determination to fight for them. As long as we in Europe do not use our political and economic potential to take care of our own security, we allow the vulnerability that our systemic rivals and the aggressor state are happy to exploit. This was said by the Speaker of the Saeima Daiga Mieriņa, addressing the speakers of parliaments of the European Union (EU) in Spain.
Today, the terrific nature and imperial ambitions of Russia’s terror are very clear to everyone and many of the hard decisions taken by EU countries now seem absolutely self-evident. But we are still being persecuted by the consequences of our own inaction, which prevents us from providing even faster support to Ukraine and speeding up its victory, emphasised Speaker Mieriņa.
The Speaker of the Saeima underlined that we need to decidedly strengthen Europe’s economic resilience, adapt the military industry to wartime and the apparently subsequent long-term confrontation with those who want to undermine the law-based international order. The development of a united, free and secure European area, encompassing Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, must continue with the same ambition.
“The voice of Latvia and our region will continue to be loud, calling to do everything necessary to bring closer Ukraine’s victory,” said the Speaker of the Saeima, noting that Latvia has just decided on providing long-term military support to Ukraine in the amount of at least 0.25 per cent of Latvia’s gross domestic product each year. “We hope to encourage others by our actions. It is in our power to keep Russia from gaining even the slightest tactical wins prior to its utter defeat”.
The Conference of Speakers of the EU Parliaments is an annual forum for speakers to exchange views, information and experience. It is attended by the Speakers of the national parliaments of the EU Member States, the President of the European Parliament and the speakers of the parliaments of the EU candidate countries. This time, the Conference of Speakers of the EU Parliaments takes place from 21 to 23 April in Palma, Spain.
Saeima Press Service