“Today, we are witnessing increased foreign efforts to interfere in democracies. It is crucial, therefore, to first identify and then prevent threats to democracy. We are currently facing both classic interference methods, such as corruption, attacks on critical infrastructure, and election meddling, as well as innovative approaches via social networks, artificial intelligence, and the instrumentalisation of migration. Given the rapid development of technology and the opportunities provided by social networks, there is a need to regulate both artificial intelligence and the operations of social networking platforms. It will be vital in bolstering society's resilience against manipulation,” stated Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, Deputy Speaker of the Saeima and Head of the Latvian Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), in Helsinki, the capital of Finland, on Tuesday, 18 June.

Visiting Helsinki at the invitation of PACE, Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica is currently working on a Council of Europe report addressing foreign interference as a threat to democratic security in Europe.

Meeting with Finnish interior and foreign affairs representatives, MPs, and the management at the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats, the Deputy Speaker of the Saeima discussed current trends and challenges in preventing foreign interference.

The insights gained will be instrumental in developing a report that defines guiding policy principles and potential actions to combat foreign interference, protect democratic institutions, and strengthen our fundamental values of human rights and the rule of law, said Kalniņa-Lukaševica.

Saeima Press Service