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On Tuesday, 8 February, Members of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee met with Senator Bogdan Klich, Chair of the Foreign and European Affairs Committee of the Senate of the Republic of Poland. During the meeting, both parties signed a joint statement on the security situation in Europe, expressing support for Ukraine and condemning Russia’s aggression.

In the joint statement, the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Saeima and the Foreign and European Affairs Committee of the Senate of Poland condemn the expansion of Russia’s military presence near the Ukrainian border, voicing concern that it causes a risk of armed conflict and destabilisation in Europe.

The statement underlines that the MPs condemn Russia’s misleading claims about provocations by Ukraine and NATO, and calls on Russia to immediately de-escalate, pursue its diplomatic channels, and abide by its international commitments.

The Latvian and Polish MPs urge NATO and the European Union member states to provide comprehensive support for Ukraine. The statement encourages immediate talks on Ukraine’s accession to the European Union.

In addition, the Latvian and Polish MPs insist that the European Union must urgently reduce its dependence on Russian energy imports.

Both parties support NATO’s open-door policy and the right of all states to decide their future and foreign policy free from outside intervention, stating that the values and fundamental principles of NATO are non-negotiable.

The parliamentarians also jointly affirm the unwavering support of Latvia and Poland for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders, and resolve to continue to support Ukraine on its chosen course of development towards Euro-Atlantic integration.

“Latvia and Poland are close regional partners and strategic allies in the area of security. Cooperation between Latvia and Poland has become more crucial due to the recent security threats,” highlighted Rihards Kols, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Saeima, underlining that Latvia and Poland share an understanding about the main challenges.

“We are grateful and highly appreciate the involvement of Poland in the NATO Enhanced Forward Presence battle group in Latvia, as well as its involvement in air policing operations,” said Rihards Kols, urging Poland to consider deploying additional military forces to Latvia, should Poland decide to extend its involvement in the battle group.

Bogdan Klich, Chair of the Foreign and European Affairs Committee of the Senate of the Republic of Poland, visited the Saeima today to meet with Rihards Kols, Chair of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee, Juris Rancāns, Chair of the Saeima Defence, Internal Affairs and Corruption Prevention Committee, and committee members. During the visit to the Saeima, the MPs also discussed the upcoming Three Seas Initiative Summit in June, which will be held in Riga, and discussed the opportunities of strengthening cooperation between the Baltic States and Poland in the areas of security and defence.

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Saeima Press Service