"When it comes to the implementation of the Rail Baltica project, there is no time and no place for disputes, indecision or short-term interests, because the project will have a significant impact on the movement of people and goods domestically and across borders," stated Jānis Vucāns, President of the Baltic Assembly (BA) and head of the Latvian delegation to the BA, on Friday, 28 October. He stressed that a targeted and irreversible development of the project must be a common goal of all Baltic States.
Press releases
On Friday, 28 October, Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, opened the 35th session of the Baltic Assembly in Riga. In her opening address, the Speaker underlined the importance of regional security and emphasized that the Baltic countries should join efforts in this area. Speaker Mūrniece urged the neighbours to intensify the security and defence cooperation, stressing the necessity to strengthen the defence infrastructure of the Baltic states and to implement joint military procurements.
On Thursday, 27 October, during a ceremony held at the culture palace Ziemeļblāzma, Professor Maija Dambrova received the Baltic Assembly Prize for Science for her scientific work on energy metabolism, as well as her contribution to research of the mechanism of action of the pharmaceutical Mildronate.
Baltic parliamentarians to meet in Riga to discuss closer cooperation in the fields of migration, demographics and transport (25.10.2016.)
On 27 and 28 October, MPs from Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania will convene in Riga for the 35th Session of the Baltic Assembly (BA) in order to discuss such issues as migration and protection of the external border of the European Union, the demographic situation in the Baltic States, as well as the development of regional transport infrastructure, with a special emphasis on the Rail Baltica project.
Speaker of the Saeima: Montenegro’s accession to NATO confirms the alliance’s commitment to its “open-door policy” (07.10.2016.)
On Thursday, 6 October, Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, welcomed Darko Pajovic, President of the Parliament of Montenegro, to the parliament of Latvia. Speaker Mūrniece praised Montenegro’s progress in its NATO accession efforts and expressed support to the country’s EU integration aspirations.
Saeima supports Montenegro’s accession to NATO (06.10.2016.)
On Thursday, 6 October, the Saeima adopted in the final reading the draft law “On the Protocol to the North Atlantic Treaty on the Accession of Montenegro”, thus supporting ratification of the Protocol on Montenegro joining NATO.
Speaker of the Saeima urges Estonia to continue its efforts in strengthening the Eastern Partnership (05.10.2016.)
On Wednesday, 5 October, Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, welcomed Jürgen Ligi, the newly-appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs of Estonia, to the parliament of Latvia. The Speaker of the Saeima congratulated the neighbouring country with its forthcoming presidency of the Council of the EU and encouraged Estonia to continue the initiatives launched during the Latvian presidency, especially the strengthening of the Eastern Partnership.
On Tuesday, 27 September, having convened in the Saeima to evaluate the nominees for the Baltic Assembly (BA) prizes, the international jury decided to award this year’s Prize for Science to Maija Dambrova for her scientific work on energy metabolism, as well as her contribution to research of the mechanism of action of the metabolic agent Mildronate.
Criminal liability to be introduced for engaging in military and combat activities abroad (22.09.2016.)
On Thursday, 22 September, the Saeima adopted in the first reading amendments to the National Security Law and Criminal Law. The amendments that prohibit citizens and non-citizens of Latvia from serving in foreign armies, police services, and security agencies are aimed at addressing the potential risks associated with Latvian nationals joining the aforementioned foreign forces. The proposed amendments introduce criminal liability and imprisonment for a term of up to four years in case on noncompliance.
“Public announcements about the failure of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations between the European Union and the United States of America are groundless. Member states of the EU have not mandated the negotiations to be suspended, and therefore Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom continues to lead the process,” said Lolita Čigāne, Chairperson of the European Affairs Committee of the Saeima.