We highly appreciate Switzerland's leadership in spearheading the recovery of Ukraine. The conference in Lugano, co-organised by Switzerland and Ukraine, is a successful start to coordinated support from the democratic world for the recovery of Ukraine. This was underlined by Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, during her meeting with Irène Kälin, President of the National Council (Parliament) of the Swiss Confederation, in Lugano, Switzerland.

Ināra Mūrniece stressed that Ukraine should be supported in every possible way. "We must continue to provide massive military assistance and other forms of support to Ukraine", said the Speaker of the Saeima, stressing that Ukraine's independence and territorial integrity must be fully restored. "Any gains for Russia from this war will risk its further aggression. This will have an even greater negative impact on global security and economy", said Mūrniece.

"Russia's war in Ukraine has irreversibly changed the strategic security environment in Europe. It poses a direct threat to our security," said Mūrniece, stressing that the recent NATO Summit in Madrid demonstrated the strong transatlantic bond between the allies and the decisions taken there are to significantly strengthen security in the Baltic region as well.

The Speaker of the Saeima noted that the Latvian Parliament had condemned Russia's aggression in Ukraine since day one of the war and had qualified the atrocities committed by Russia as genocide against the Ukrainian people. Both speakers agreed that parliaments should play an active role in the international arena in the new geopolitical situation.

When discussing the bilateral relations, the Speaker of the Saeima pointed out the following. We are pleased with the close and friendly ties between Latvia and Switzerland. We share an active political dialogue, including enhanced parliamentary ties. Latvia will always remember that Switzerland was among those countries that were consistent in not recognising Latvia's incorporation in the Soviet Union. It provided important moral support during the Cold War.

The President of the Swiss National Council praised the Saeima for its flexibility in quickly adapting to remote work during the Covid-19 pandemic. She noted that the digital solution introduced by Latvia for Saeima's work continuity could be a source of inspiration for every parliament.

The Speaker of the Saeima is currently on a working visit to Switzerland, where she is taking part in a conference on the recovery of Ukraine. Conferences dedicated to Ukraine have been held annually since 2017; previously it was known as the Ukraine Reform Conference. This year, the Ukraine Reform Conference has been renamed the Ukraine Recovery Conference.

Saeima Press Service