On Friday, 23 April, the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Saeima adopted a statement on solidarity with the Czech Republic, in which it calls on the member states of the European Union (EU) and NATO to agree on coordinated action to respond strongly to the destructive actions of the Russian intelligence services against the interests and security of the EU and NATO member states and to take appropriate response measures.

“The activities of the Russian intelligence services in the EU and NATO member states are destabilising, even overtly criminal, and Russia has a long track record of blatantly violating binding international agreements and the norms of mutually respectful relations between states. Although over the years this behaviour has become almost systemic, awareness needs to be raised about the serious conclusions reached by the responsible Czech services about the events at the Vrbětice ammunition warehouse in 2014, resulting in two deaths,” stressed Rihards Kols, Chair of the Saeima Committee.

The Statement expresses appreciation for the extensive and in-depth investigation carried out by the responsible services of the Czech Republic and the comprehensive and clear conclusions provided, which confirm the involvement of the Military Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation in the crimes committed in 2014.

In the Statement, members of the Committee emphasise that these crimes by the Military Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation have been committed in the territory of an independent and sovereign state, the Czech Republic, in flagrant violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

According to the Statement, MPs express support to the Czech Republic and the decisions of its authorities on the response measures resulting in the expulsion of 18 Russian officials identified as employees of the country's intelligence services, as well as the measures to be further implemented by the Czech Republic.

The Statement condemns the Russian Federation’s disproportionate response – the expulsion of 20 employees of the Czech Embassy in Moscow and the threats directed against the Czech Republic.

Additionally, MPs express concern about the destabilising activities continued by Russia in the sovereign territories of the EU and NATO member states, as set out in the Statement.

Saeima Press Service