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“To strengthen their defence capabilities, the countries in our region have stepped up their security investments. We need to work out a strategy on how we can most effectively cooperate in the military industry directly among the countries of our region,” said Daiga Mieriņa, Speaker of the Saeima, welcoming Andreas Norlén, Speaker of the Parliament of the Kingdom of Sweden, at the Latvian Parliament on Wednesday, 16 April.

The Speaker of the Saeima emphasised that Latvia and Sweden are close allies and thanked Sweden for the presence of its soldiers at Military Base Ādaži. The Swedish Mechanised Infantry Battalion joined the NATO Multinational Brigade in Latvia in February, thus strengthening the security of our region, and this is Sweden’s first NATO mission since the country joined the Alliance on 7 March last year.

Andreas Norlén noted that the presence of Swedish troops in the Baltic States sends a strong message to Russia, and highlighted the Latvian-initiated Drone Coalition as a good platform for military cooperation between Latvia and Sweden.

Speaker Mieriņa referred to recent geopolitical developments, including the tragic events in the north-eastern Ukrainian town of Sumy, where dozens of civilians were killed by Russian missiles, as evidence that Russia does not want peace. The two Speakers discussed ways to make our voices better heard in the peace talks.

In addition, Mieriņa and Norlén explored ways of containing Russia by means other than sanctions. As an example, Mieriņa highlighted the initiative started by the Baltic States last year against Russia’s “blood grain” and the European unity in support of this initiative.

Regarding solidarity with Ukraine, the parties also turned to the Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimea Platform, which will be hosted by Sweden this year, taking over from previous organiser Latvia. Speakers Mieriņa and Norlén agreed that, considering the current geopolitical climate, expressing support for Ukraine at the international level is of particular importance.

During his visit to the Saeima, the Speaker of the Parliament of the Kingdom of Sweden also met with Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, Deputy Speaker of the Saeima; Antoņina Ņenaševa, Deputy Speaker of the Saeima; Jānis Grasbergs, Deputy Secretary of the Saeima, and members of parliament.

Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/saeima/albums/72177720325135443/
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Saeima Press Service