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On Thursday, 10 August, Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, met at the Parliament with Ed Royce, Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the United States House of Representatives. Speaker Mūrniece stated that U.S. support, including military presence, is of principal importance for the security of the Baltic States, and close cooperation with the United States in combatting hybrid threats is also crucial. 

“We highly appreciate the active political dialogue, also at the parliamentary level, between Latvia and the United States of America. We at the Saeima are always delighted to welcome U.S. senators and congressmen,” the Speaker of the Saeima emphasised.

Speaker Mūrniece expressed gratitude for the continuous presence of U.S. armed forces in the Baltic States, remarking on the importance to maintain it also in future. The Speaker highlighted Latvia’s commitment to allocate 2% of GDP for defence by 2018.

Speaker Mūrniece and Congressman Royce agreed on the role of strategic communication in the fight against the Kremlin’s information warfare. The Speaker of the Saeima stressed the input in reinforcing security by the NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence.

The Speaker of the Saeima emphasised the necessity to strengthen transatlantic ties as much as possible. Speaker Mūrniece and Congressman Royce both expressed their support for the transatlantic trade and cooperation in the energy sector, which would benefit both sides of the Atlantic.

The Speaker of the Saeima and the Congressman also discussed the security situation in the region, as well as the conflict in Ukraine, agreeing that the sanctions against Russia must be continued until full adherence to the Minsk Agreements is achieved. 

Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/saeima/albums/72157684721820851
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHXbPDf1Gfk
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Saeima Press Service