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The meeting of the Standing Committee of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA) took place at the Saeima on Saturday, 11 April. It brought together heads of delegations from more than 30 national parliaments of NATO member states. Parliamentarians were addressed by Speaker of the Saeima Daiga Mieriņa, who emphasised NATO as an alliance founded on shared values and democracy.

Parliamentarians discussed a range of key security issues, including the impact of Russia’s continued war in Ukraine on Euro‑Atlantic security, as well as the importance of the Arctic region. The parliamentarians also held discussions with Minister for Foreign Affairs Baiba Braže and Head of the NATO PA Delegation of Ukraine Yehor Cherniev.

Head of the Latvian Delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Raimonds Bergmanis noted that holding this meeting in Riga was an important opportunity for Allies to align their views on current security challenges, while also reaffirming Latvia’s ability to act as a reliable partner within the Alliance. The meeting likewise highlighted the importance of parliamentary cooperation, particularly in the context of support for Ukraine and the strengthening of Euro‑Atlantic security.

The programme for parliamentarians also includes a visit to the Ādaži Military Base.

The Standing Committee of the NATO PA performs a broad range of both political and administrative tasks and coordinates the overall work of the Assembly. Meetings of the Committee are usually held on a rotating basis in one of the NATO PA member states, and its sessions are held behind closed doors.

The NATO PA, founded in 1955, is a consultative interparliamentary organisation that brings together parliamentarians from the states of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The Assembly constitutes an essential link between NATO and national parliaments, strengthens political dialogue, and promotes public support for Alliance policies. The Latvian delegation to the NATO PA consists of six Members of the Saeima.

The NATO PA also involves in its work parliamentarians from Central and Eastern Europe and other countries worldwide that seek closer cooperation with the Alliance (approximately 80 delegates from 11 associate countries, the European Parliament, four Mediterranean regional partner countries, as well as seven parliamentary observer delegations).

During its sessions, parliamentarians draft and adopt resolutions on current transatlantic security issues, innovation, and existing as well as emerging strategies. Since the invasion of Ukraine by aggressor state Russia, issues related to the provision of intelligence, military, civilian and other forms of assistance to Ukraine have remained particularly relevant.

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Saeima Press Service