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The eastern border of the Baltic States is also the external border of the entire European Union (EU). Now that we are subjected to a hybrid attack carried out by the Belarusian regime at our border, we expect the EU to take more active steps in providing additional EU funding to reinforce our external border. Latvia would also appreciate an increased presence of the EU Frontex Agency in our country, emphasised Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, after meeting with David Maria Sassoli, President of the European Parliament, who was on an official visit to Latvia on Thursday, 19 August.

Mūrniece underscored that, 30 years after the end of the Soviet occupation, the Baltic States are like‑minded members of the European Union and NATO, united by common democratic values. The Speaker of the Saeima commended the successful cooperation of the Baltic States in regional infrastructure projects, namely, the synchronisation of the Baltic electricity networks and Rail Baltica, which are implemented with significant EU financial support. "These projects are of significant interest to the entire EU; not only do they contribute to the connectivity of our region, but are also a matter of our security,” noted Mūrniece.

Mūrniece conveyed her appreciation for the active support expressed by the President of the European Parliament, as well as his understanding of the challenges the Baltic States currently face and the role of Belarus in the current developments.

The participants of the meeting agreed on the need for a more active dialogue between the European Parliament and national parliaments to build a strong Europe that listens to its citizens and works for their benefit. Times have changed and we need to find new and effective solutions to overcome the COVID‑19 crisis and other topical challenges faced by Europe. This will only be possible by working together, said the Speaker of the Saeima.

Mūrniece and Sassoli underlined the role of EU enlargement and the Eastern Partnership in building a secure and stable Europe. The Speaker of the Saeima particularly highlighted the importance of the Crimean Platform in broadening international support for the de-occupation of Crimea. Our task as parliamentarians is to actively maintain this item on the international agenda and to help Ukraine, noted Mūrniece.

The meeting with the President of the European Parliament was also attended by the following Members of the Saeima: Juris Rancāns, Chair of the Saeima Defence, Internal Affairs and Corruption Prevention Committee, Vita Anda Tērauda, Chair of the Saeima European Affairs Committee, Jānis Vucāns, Head of the Latvian Delegation to the Baltic Assembly, and Ojārs Ēriks Kalniņš, Deputy Chair of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee.

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Saeima Press Service