Press releases

European Affairs Committee shows unanimous support for Ukraine’s European aspirations
The European Affairs Committee of the Saeima deplores the decision of Ukrainian authorities not to sign the Association Agreement with the European Union at the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius. This was said in the statement on the situation in Ukraine adopted by the Committee unanimously on Friday, 13 December. In the statement, members of the Committee emphasise that Latvia as a full-fledged member state of the UN, OSCE, Council of Europe, EU and NATO that upholds the values of democracy cannot condone the actions of the Ukrainian authorities – breaking into the offices of the parliamentary opposition party – which can be viewed as a threat to parliamentarism.
Ojārs Ēriks Kalniņš: The situation in Ukraine has escalated into a setback for the nation; it can only be resolved through talks
On Thursday, 12 December, Ojārs Ēriks Kalniņš, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Saeima, issued a statement on the situation in Ukraine.
Speaker expresses condolences on the passing of Nelson Mandela
On behalf of the Latvian parliament, Speaker Solvita Āboltiņa has sent a letter to Max Sisulu, Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of South Africa, expressing condolences on the passing of Nelson Mandela.
Saeima amends conditions for issuing residence permits to foreigners who invest in Latvian companies
On Thursday, 5 December, the Saeima in the final reading supported amendments to the Immigration Law that introduce changes in conditions regarding issuance of temporary residence permits for foreigners who invest money in Latvian companies.
Saeima amends the Law envisaging social benefits of former Presidents of Latvia
On Thursday, 5 December, the Saeima adopted in the third and final reading amendments to the Law on Ensuring Activity of the President of Latvia, which envisage changes in the amount of social benefits provided to former Presidents of Latvia.
Saeima loses to State Police in a friendly hockey match
On Tuesday, 3 December, the Saeima’s hockey team lost 5-6 to the State Police team in a tense and dynamic friendly match.
Āboltiņa to Baltic parliamentarians: Cooperation in energy and Rail/BalticRail Baltica project are important both from economic and geopolitical perspective
On Friday, 29 November, Solvita Āboltiņa, Speaker of the Saeima, in her opening address to the 32nd Session of the Baltic Assembly held at the Saeima, stressed that members of parliament of the Baltic States have initiated and implemented several regionally significant initiatives; however they face numerous challenges, including urgent issue of energy isolation which has to be solved. Likewise, the Baltic States have to overcome their internal disagreements and arrive at a conclusion regarding implementation of the Rail Baltic/Rail Baltica project because this project is important not only from an economic but also from a geopolitical perspective.  
Vējonis calls on the Baltic governments to strengthen cooperation
On Friday, 29 November, Raimonds Vējonis, President of the Baltic Assembly addressed the participants of the 32nd Session of the Baltic Assembly and the 19th Baltic Council, pointing out that the success of the three Baltic States depends on closer cooperation between the parliaments and the executive power, streamlining of the decision-making procedures and joint strategies for issues that cannot be efficiently solved individually.
Āboltiņa invites her Baltic counterparts to the grand opening of  “Riga 2014”
On Friday, 29 November, Solvita Āboltiņa, Speaker of the Saeima, hosted a meeting with Ene Ergma, Speaker of the Estonian parliament, and Loreta Graužinienė, Speaker of the Lithuanian parliament, and invited them to the grand opening of the European Capital of Culture on 17 January 2014, when Richard Wagner’s opera Rienzi will be staged in the Latvian National Opera as a part of the opening of “Riga 2014”. 
Solvita Āboltiņa meets with Lithuanian Speaker
On Thursday, 28 November, Solvita Āboltiņa, Speaker of the Saeima, met with Loreta Graužinienė, Speaker of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, who visited the Saeima during her working visit to Latvia, where she is participating in the 32nd Session of the Baltic Assembly and the 19th Baltic Council. This is the first visit of the Speaker of the Seimas to Latvia and to the Saeima.
Ceturtdien, 28.martā
10:00  Saeimas priekšsēdētājas biedres Zandas Kalniņas-Lukaševicas tikšanās ar Vācijas Federatīvās Republikas ārkārtējo un pilnvaroto vēstnieku Latvijas Republikā V.E. Christian Heldt