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It is in our interests to strengthen the friendly and constructive relations between Latvia and Luxembourg. As members of NATO and the European Union, we have a lot to do together to maintain peace in the continent. We must continue to provide all the necessary support for Ukraine, because it is in the interest of us all that Ukraine wins the war started by Russia, underlined Edvards Smiltēns, Speaker of the Saeima, on Monday, 13 March, welcoming Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg, at the Parliament as part of his state visit to Latvia.

During the meeting with the esteemed guest, the Speaker of the Saeima expressed Latvia’s high appreciation for the clear position of Luxembourg in not recognising, either de iure or de facto, the incorporation of the Baltic States into the Soviet Union.

The parties agreed that Russia’s aggression in Ukraine attests to the importance of guarding the values that, until very recently, seemed secure—independence, democracy, and the rule of law. This year has been important for the self-confidence of the Latvian State, as we have finally managed to make decisions previously delayed for years, for example, on removing the symbols of the Soviet occupation. Thus, we have finally dismantled the last remainders of the Soviet empire in our minds as well, said Smiltēns.

The meeting participants discussed the establishment of an ad hoc international tribunal for the investigation of Russia’s war crimes, as well as the possibility of developing a mechanism for redirecting Russia’s frozen assets towards the reconstruction of Ukraine.

The officials underlined the need for promoting economic cooperation between the two countries, taking into account the as of yet untapped potential. In Latvia’s view, there could be successful cooperation opportunities in the fields of technological innovation, digitalisation, space, and financial services.

Jean Asselborn, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Luxembourg, and Franz Fayot, Minister of the Economy of Luxembourg, also visited the Saeima together with the Grand Duke of Luxembourg. On the Latvian side, Jānis Grasbergs, Deputy Speaker of the Saeima; Armands Krauze, Secretary of the Saeima; Rihards Kols, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Saeima; and Andris Sprūds, Chair of the European Affairs Committee of the Saeima, participated in the meeting.

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Saeima Press Service