“The path of parliamentarism is not easy or simple—it requires the ability to acknowledge and reconcile different ideas and opinions, to listen to different representatives from different regions and interest groups. In parliamentary democracy, an effective democratic instrument is needed to enable smooth and constructive legislative process. There is a need for legislative traffic rules, known and respected by all. It ensures that the legislative process is clear, understandable to the public, and sufficiently smooth. The Saeima Rules of Procedure have turned out to be such an instrument,” said Edvards Smiltēns, Speaker of the Saeima, on Thursday, 16 March, at the opening of the exhibition “100 Years of the Rules of Procedure of the Saeima” at the Parliament.

“We learn who our true friends are in times of hardship, and Canada has consistently shown that we can fully rely on it. We are close partners with excellent relations throughout history, and, at this time when the security of NATO’s eastern flank is the number one priority, we feel the friendly and strong support of Canada,” underlined Edvards Smiltēns, Speaker of the Saeima, on Tuesday, 14 March, at a meeting with George J. Furey, Speaker of the Senate of Canada, who is on an official visit to Latvia.

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.

“I would like to thank Canada for its immeasurable contribution towards the security of Latvia and, as a result, the security of the entire Baltic Sea region. The people of Latvia acknowledge and highly appreciate the contribution of Canada and its every soldier. It ensures a strong presence of NATO troops. The implementation of the Madrid Summit decisions to increase NATO presence at the eastern flank of the Alliance is crucial for Latvia’s security,“ said Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, Deputy Speaker of the Saeima, on Monday, 13 March, during a meeting with George J. Furey, Speaker of the Senate of Canada.

On Monday, 6 March, the Saeima, the European Commission, and the European Parliament Liaison Office in Latvia signed a Memorandum of Understanding on strategic partnership. The aim of the Memorandum is to jointly raise awareness and educate society about important matters concerning Latvia’s membership in the European Union (EU), promote broader public participation in EU-related discussions, and inform about the role of national parliaments in EU-level decision making.

“We must learn from history and face aggression with decisiveness and strength, and, as a democratic organisation, we must use every opportunity to hold Russia fully accountable for its crimes of aggression against Ukraine,” said Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, Deputy Speaker of the Saeima, Head of the Latvian delegation, at a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe held in The Hague, the Netherlands.

“Today, a new iron curtain has descended between Russia and the free world, but the entire world knows that the purest iron curtain can be found in Ukraine. It is made of blooded and battle tested iron. It is forged from steel hardened in battles. It is a steel barrier that protects the world from a predatory, wild beast. Our duty, our responsibility, is to provide support for Ukraine as strong as steel. In Latvia and internationally. In words and in deeds. Morally and practically," said the Speaker of the Saeima, Edvards Smiltēns, on Friday, February 24, at the extraordinary sitting of the Saeima, marking one year since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

“Tyranny and terror must fail. Peace and freedom must prevail. The victory of Ukraine is the only way to restore peace in Europe. We stand with Ukraine,” stated the speakers of the Parliaments of the Baltic States and Poland in a joint declaration issued on Friday, 24 February, one year since Russia’s full scale military invasion in Ukraine.

On Thursday, 23 February, the Saeima adopted a statement on the anniversary of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, reiterating its strongest condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the Parliament’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. In the Statement, the MPs demand that Russia immediately ceases all military activities in Ukraine and withdraws all forces and military equipment from all internationally recognised territory of Ukraine without any conditions.

On Wednesday, 22 February, in London, Members of the Saeima met with Nigel Evans, Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, to discuss Latvian-UK security cooperation, as well as the political, financial, and military support for Ukraine provided by the two countries. The Saeima delegation is currently on a visit to the Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to strengthen bilateral relations.