At the moment, every foreign policy issue is affected by the threat posed by Russia to European values, and the main goal is to ensure Ukraine’s victory and loss of Russia as soon as possible, said Edmunds Cepurītis, Chair of the European Affairs Committee of the Saeima, during the annual foreign policy debate held on Thursday, 25 January.

Historically, the European Union has been able to do a lot to maintain peace. However, at the moment it is necessary to win peace throughout the territory of Ukraine and in Europe as a whole, Cepurītis said, stressing that this is always a matter of priorities.

“If this requires investment in the military industry of the European Union, then it must be done right now. If this requires borrowing instruments or other financial instruments, then they need to be created,” underlined Cepurītis.

“This is a time when it must be demonstrated as often as possible that the European Union is strong and able to make the necessary decisions, that it is an organisation that enables countries to achieve so much more by joining efforts than it could ever be possible individually,” said the Chair of the Committee, calling for maximum strengthening of the European Union and its unity in decision-making, inter alia, when deciding on substantial joint investment in the military industry and improvement of sanctions policy. A common voice is also essential in rebutting the narratives disseminated by Russia’s propaganda and fighting disinformation.

“Preventing the climate crisis and reducing fossil dependency is one of our challenges on the path to sustainable peace and security. With each step we help reduce funding for the Russian war,” said Cepurītis, highlighting climate change and the green transition as important foreign policy issues.

Saeima Press Service