Strengthening the safety and stability of our region is our shared responsibility. We are currently facing undeniable challenges related to the military aggression of Russia, its growing influence in Belarus, as well as the hybrid attacks of Belarus near the borders of Latvia and Lithuania. This was highlighted by Speaker Ināra Mūrniece during her official visit to the Kingdom of Sweden.
The Speaker of the Saeima discussed security collaboration between Latvia and Sweden in a meeting with Ann Linde, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden, Peter Hultqvist, Minister for Defence of Sweden, and members of the Committee on Defence and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Parliament of Sweden (Riksdag). It is also planned for the delegation of the Saeima to visit the Command and Control Regiment of the Kingdom of Sweden in Enköping.
The current situation calls for reconsideration of matters regarding the strengthening of the external borders of the European Union (EU). It is not the responsibility of individual member states, but a shared responsibility of the EU, emphasised Mūrniece.
We regard Sweden and Finland as NATO’s closest partner countries. We are glad that Sweden continues to strengthen its national security, including by increasing defence expenditure. We must maintain regular political and military dialogue and exchange of information, and we must establish joint regional military exercises, said the Speaker of the Saeima.
Speaker Mūrniece and the accompanying delegation, as well as their Estonian and Lithuanian counterparts, are visiting Sweden to participate in the events marking the 30th anniversary of the restoration of the Baltic States' independence and diplomatic relations with Sweden and to meet Swedish officials.
The Latvian delegation includes Juris Rancāns, Chair of the Saeima Defence, Internal Affairs and Corruption Prevention Committee, Ojārs Ēriks Kalniņš, Deputy Chair of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee, and Velta Čebotarenoka, President of the 4 May Declaration Club.
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Saeima Press Service