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On Friday, 16 May, Deputy Speaker of the Saeima and Chair of the Saeima Group for Promoting Cooperation with the German Parliament, Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, hosted Manuela Schwesig, Minister-President of the federal state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, at the Latvian Parliament.

“Latvia and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern are linked not only by geographical proximity, but also by shared interests and common challenges,” Kalniņa-Lukaševica emphasised. She expressed confidence that enhanced cooperation between the two regions—particularly in the fields of energy, the economy, and education—would bring tangible benefits to both sides.

“In today’s geopolitical climate, it is increasingly evident that energy and security can no longer be viewed in isolation,” Kalniņa-Lukaševica noted. She highlighted Latvia’s strategic efforts to bolster energy independence—both through investment in renewable resources and through the successful synchronisation with the European energy grid earlier this year.

Kalniņa-Lukaševica also stressed that any form of cooperation or its restoration with Russia—especially in the energy sector—is unacceptable. “By strengthening our energy security, we simultaneously reinforce the economic security of our country. That is why building partnerships with trusted allies is essential,” she underlined.

The meeting also covered the regional security situation and Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine. Minister-President Schwesig reaffirmed Germany’s resolute stance in condemning Russian aggression and reiterated the country’s commitment to strengthening its military capabilities, as well as to reinforcing security in the Baltic region. Kalniņa-Lukaševica thanked Germany for its significant contribution to regional defence. Since 2017, Germany has led NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence battlegroup in Lithuania.

The discussion also explored opportunities for joint initiatives to support Ukraine’s Chernihiv region, with particular attention to providing psychological assistance to civilians affected by the war.

Kalniņa-Lukaševica expressed her gratitude to the federal state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern for its support in promoting Latvian language studies at the University of Greifswald. She underscored the importance of this initiative in strengthening cultural and educational ties between the two countries. The Deputy Speaker also highlighted the growing relevance of the German language in Latvia’s education system, noting its rising popularity as a second foreign language among schoolchildren.

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Saeima Press Service