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Thursday, 25.04.2024, 19:07
Saeima committee approves Latvia's position to take-in additional 526 refugees
The final wording of the Latvian position was revised from the original one, as well as several correction were made to specific points, but Latvia has finally officially agreed to take-in the said number of additional refugees.
This means that Latvia will be taking in 776 refugees in total.
The government positions was supported by the following committee members – Edvards Smiltens (Unity), Nellija Kleinberga (Alliance of Regions), Igors Pimenovs (Harmony), Sergejs Dolgopolovs (Harmony), Ivans Klementjevs (Harmony), Atis Lejins (Unity), Ojars Eriks Kalnins (Unity) and Lolita Cigane (Unity). Meanwhile, the following committee members voted against the government's position – Julija Stepanenko (Harmony), Rihards Kols (VL-TB/LNNK) and Armands Krauze (Greens/Farmers).
As reported, several Saeima deputies abandoned this morning's meeting of the European Affairs Committee, and no decision was taken on the acceptance of refugees in Latvia due to lack of a quorum.
MPs Rihards Kols (VL-TB/LNNK), Armands Krauze (Greens/Farmers), Edgars Putra (Greens/Farmers) and Julija Stepanenko (Harmony) abandoned the meeting.
Thus, the present number of MPs at the meeting was seven, which does not constitute a quorum.
LETA reported, in an emergency government meeting Thursday, the Latvian government supported the official Latvian position, which foresees Latvia will voluntarily take in an additional 526 refugees. The Latvian position points out that it does not object to a coordinated EU action in relocating refugees, however, it maintains that such activities can only be done voluntarily, and that each country holds the right to decide how many refugees it will take in.