Five members of Latvia’s 100-member parliament, the Saeima, have been on a visit to Canada.
The Saeima delegation to Canada is represented by the Saeima’s Secretary-General Jānis Grasbergs, as well as the head of the parliamentary group for promoting cooperation with the Canadian Parliament, Irma Kalniņa, deputies Kaspars Briškens and Ramona Petraviča, and Saeima Secretary Edvards Smiltēns.
The Saeima delegation met with representatives of the Canadian parliament and institutions to strengthen political, security and economic cooperation between the two countries. The MPs discussed current international challenges with the Chairs of the Foreign Affairs and International Development Committee, the Defence Committee of the Canadian House of Representatives, as well as the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Committee of the Canadian Senate, according to a Saeima release.
“The strong and friendly relations between Latvia and Canada are based on shared democratic values and close cooperation in the Euro-Atlantic space. We highly appreciate Canada’s leading role in the NATO multinational brigade in Latvia and the great importance Canada attaches to the security and stability of the Baltic region,” said Smiltēns during a meeting with Canadian parliamentarians in Ottawa.
The Secretary of the Saeima stated: “Our countries are bound by a common understanding of security threats and challenges. Canada is a close, like-minded ally within NATO. Therefore, it is important for us to continue developing bilateral dialogue with our partners in the Canadian Parliament and at the same time strengthen bilateral relations between Latvia and Canada.”
“The presence of Canada’s allies in Latvia is much more than military support – it is the basis for a long-term partnership that extends far beyond the security sphere. Our task now is to translate this strategic proximity into concrete economic results: new investments, technology transfer, joint defense industry projects and expanded trade,” said Smiltēns.
The Saeima delegation also met with representatives of the Canadian Department of National Defence, members of the Canadian House of Representatives Committee on Industry, Technology and Natural Resources, as well as the Canada-Latvia Parliamentary Friendship Group. The parliamentarians discussed opportunities to deepen cooperation in the field of security and defence and to promote economic cooperation between the two countries, including attracting Canadian investment to Latvia.
During the visit, the Latvian parliamentarians also met with representatives of the Latvian community in Ottawa, participating in a question-and-answer session, and visited the Ottawa Latvian School. The MPs also attended a service at the Ottawa Latvian Peace Congregational Church, demonstrating their close ties with the Canadian Latvian diaspora.
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