"Although geographically our countries stand far apart, Latvia is located on the side of the European Union that is the closest to the Republic of Korea. We are close in our spirit, for the 20th century brought painful experiences both upon Latvia and South Korea. Today, we stand as like-minded countries that respect democracy, law-based international order and human rights,” said Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, during her meeting with Moon Hee-sang, President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, in Seoul as a part of an official visit to South Korea.

On Thursday, 12 December, the Saeima in two readings urgently adopted amendments to the Law on Ports, stipulating changes in the management of the Port of Riga and the Port of Ventspils.

On Thursday, 12 December, the Saeima approved Mārtiņš Kazāks as the new Governor of the Bank of Latvia.

We firmly support Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic integration and strongly encourage the implementation of democratic reforms. Ukrainian people have demonstrated their readiness to pay the ultimate price for the freedom, democracy and sovereignty of their country. The rule of law and combating corruption ­­are areas where progress is needed in order to attract foreign direct investment to Ukraine and promote the welfare of the people, stated Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, in her opening address at the international conference “Ukraine’s reforms and European path” on Friday, 6 December.

On Friday, 29 November, at the conclusion of the 38th Session of the Baltic Assembly (BA) hosted in Riga, parliamentarians from Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania defined cooperation priorities for 2020. Baltic partnership in defence and security was highlighted as the first priority, followed by the development of energy and transport connections, and regional research and education networks.

“At the time of the Baltic Way 30 years ago, the unity of our countries was emotional, whereas today it is much more practical. Today it means the ability to combine efforts in the name of important objectives, find solutions where there is a risk of conflict and diversity of opinion, and to act in concert in order to implement joint initiatives and projects,” said Jānis Vucāns, President of the Baltic Assembly (BA) on Friday, 29 November, urging Latvian, Estonian, and Lithuanian MPs to search for solutions to future challenges together.

“The Baltic States can take pride in the accomplishments they have achieved during the years of independence. Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania are well organised, ecologically clean and innovative North European countries with a great potential for development. Democracy and security are the foundations of our growth,” said Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, in her opening address at the 38th Session of the Baltic Assembly (BA), on Friday, 29 November. 

On Thursday, 28 November, conductor Normunds Šnē received the Baltic Assembly (BA) Prize for the Arts. In the award ceremony at the Small Guild in Riga, the Latvian conductor was awarded the prize for his performance at the concert in honour of the centenary of the Baltic States with the Chamber Orchestra “Sinfonietta Rīga” and Tallinn Chamber orchestra — event that took place at the Baltic Sea Festival in Stockholm last year.

According to the amendments to the Law on the Bank of Latvia adopted in the final reading on Thursday, 21 November, the term of office of the Governor of the Bank of Latvia henceforth will be reduced from six to five years.