Press releases

Alvis Hermanis receives the Baltic Assembly Prize for the Arts
On Thursday, 25 September, when the Joint Jury convened in the Saeima to evaluate nominees for the Baltic Assambly prizes, it decided to award this year’s Prize for the Arts to Alvis Hermanis, Stage Director of the New Riga Theatre, for creative staging of numerous plays, including play Oblomovs.
Tax payments to be postponed for businesses suffering from sanctions against Russia
The State Revenue Service (SRS) will be able to postpone or split into instalments the tax payments due from businesses that have had to delay them because of the restrictions on imports established by the Russian Federation. This is envisioned in the amendments to the Law on Taxes and Fees and the Law on the State Revenue Service, which the Saeima adopted in the final reading on Thursday, 18 September.
Ojārs Ēriks Kalniņš: Obama’s visit to Estonia is a guarantee of the security of the Baltic region
“Analysts have already called the speech delivered by Barrack Obama, President of the United States of America, in Tallinn yesterday the strongest since Ronald Reagan’s term in office. The emphasis on the Baltic States’ never being alone again, as well as the position of Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Secretary General of NATO, and the spirit of the Wales Summit give assurance for Latvia’s security,” Ojārs Ēriks Kalniņš, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, said on Thursday, 4 September, after the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Committee during which its members discussed the events in Ukraine and the security situation in the region with representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
On Thursday, 4 September, the Saeima approved in the second reading the Draft Law on the Sale of Energy Drinks. The goal of the Draft Law is to control the trade and advertising of energy drinks. The draft law also envisages a ban on the sale of energy drinks to individuals under the age of 18.
Statement of the Chairmen of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the Parliaments of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania  on the Situation in Ukraine
We condemn on the strongest terms the invasion into Ukraine’s territory by the armed forces of the Russian Federation. Focused actions of the Russian Federation violating bilateral and multilateral agreements on Ukraine’s soveregnity and territorial integrity, and its direct support of terrorist military units threaten not only Ukraine’s or its neighbours’ security, but also security of EU and NATO member states and stability in Europe.
Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica: EU must immediately respond to Russia’s blatant aggression in Ukraine
On Thursday, 28 August, after the meeting of the European Affairs Committee devoted to the developments in Ukraine, Chairperson Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica emphasised that “at the upcoming European Council the European Union should immediately decide on a response to Russia’s blatant aggression in Ukraine. Every minute we receive information verified by the highest officials of Ukraine and other countries that warfare in Ukraine is conducted by regular Russian troops with armoured vehicles bearing no marking of their affiliation to a particular country.” This issue will also be on the agenda of the informal meeting of the foreign affairs ministers of the European Union, the so-called Gymnich, to be held on 29–30 August.
Speaker Āboltiņa: Successful political dialogue between Latvia and Japan is a good foundation for further economic cooperation
“Despite the geographical distance, Latvia and Japan have a long history of cooperation, and successful political dialogue is a good foundation for further economic cooperation, as well as joint cultural and educational projects,” said Solvita Āboltiņa, Speaker of the Saeima, during her meeting in the Main Building of the Saeima with Masaaki Yamazaki, President of the House of Councillors of the National Diet of Japan, who is on an official visit to Latvia. 
Speaker Āboltiņa: the parliament’s unanimous support for the ratification of Association Agreements with Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova attests to Latvia’s political support for these countries
“Latvia previously promised Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova that it would be among the first member states of the European Union to ratify the association agreements with these countries. Therefore, I am gratified that today the Saeima unanimously supported the ratification of all three association agreements, thus fulfilling our promise and expressing our country’s political support  for these Eastern Partnership countries,” said Solvita Āboltiņa, Speaker of the Saeima, on Monday, 14 July, after the ratification of the European Union (EU) association agreements with Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova. 
Saeima ratifies EU Association Agreements with Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine
On Monday, 14 July, the Saeima in an extraordinary sitting adopted and approved the Association Agreements between the European Union (EU) and the European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States, of the one part, and Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, of the other part.
Crisis in Ukraine the central topic of the Foreign Affairs Committee during the spring session
“The crisis in Ukraine, relations with Russia, preparations for the Latvian presidency of the Council of the European Union at the beginning of next year and the NATO Summit in Great Britain have been the main topics for the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Saeima during the spring session of parliament,” recounted Ojārs Ēriks Kalniņš, Chairman of the Committee.
Piektdien, 29.martā