Baltic States – CIS, EU – Baltic States, Latvia, Legislation

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Kalnina-Lukasevica met with the delegation from the foreign affairs committee of Romania's Chamber of Deputies headed by Laszlo Borbely on March 1 and they discussed bilateral relations and current issues of international affairs, the Latvian Foreign Ministry said.

Speaking about Latvia's experience in the work with Eastern Partnership countries, the Latvian Foreign Ministry representative underlined that questions of cooperation with Eastern partners should be kept high on the EU agenda. She said it was especially important to utilize and implement the decisions of the Riga Summit in areas where progress will be evident and visible to the citizens of these partner countries.  

Referring to the situation in Ukraine, Kalnina-Lukasevica emphasized that the international community must continue to call upon Ukraine's political elite to persist in the reform process which is already underway despite the internal challenges. While mentioning the contributions being made by Latvian experts participating in projects to share experience, she noted that political decisions ought to be backed by the practical support of the members of Ukraine's society.

Both delegations had the same view on the importance of upholding Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence and that the end of sanctions against Russia should be discussed only after Russia has fulfilled its commitments in accordance with the Minsk agreements.

In reviewing the challenges resulting from the migration crisis, the Latvian Foreign Ministry's parliamentary secretary accented the fact that it is essential to find long-term solutions by addressing the root causes of migration and through stabilization of the political, economic and social conditions in the regions neighboring the European Union.

Latvia and Romania were together on their understanding of the security situation in the region. Both sides agreed that in the current circumstances, it is important to strengthen external borders. In considering preparations for NATO's Warsaw Summit, Kalnina-Lukasevica confirmed that, for Latvia, the decisions on the presence of allies in the region will be important.  

She welcomed the development of parliamentary contacts between Latvia and Romania highlighting last week's establishment of the parliamentary group for cooperation with Romania.

The delegation from the foreign affairs committee of the Romanian Chamber of Deputies is in Latvia on a visit from February 29 till March 2.