China can play a key role in stopping Russian aggression - Smiltens

RIGA - China can play a key role in stopping Russian aggression, Saeima Speaker Edvards Smiltens (United List) said on Wednesday during a meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Latvia Tang Sunggen. 

As LETA was told at the Saeima press office, Smiltens noted that human blood is being shed in the brutal war wages by Russia in Ukraine. This must stop and Russia must be held accountable for the crimes it has committed.

"Our focus is on what is happening in Ukraine, and security is the most important issue. China can play a key role in helping to end this war and in ensuring that Russia respects the most important principles - national sovereignty and territorial integrity", the Saeima speaker told the ambassador. 

Smiltens went on to say that Russian aggression is sending shockwaves not only in Europe, but around the world, undermining the order that based on international law. For his part, the ambassador stressed that China understands the prevailing concerns about what is happening in Ukraine and has always stood up for countries' sovereignty and territorial integrity. China stands for peace and calls for an end to the war, stressed Sunggen, noting that the war also affects the global economy.

The Saeima speaker emphasized the role of the UN Security Council in ensuring international peace and stressed that Latvia was in favor of the establishment of an international tribunal. According to Smiltens, the perpetrators must be held accountable. This is important so that no one will think of repeating "such atrocities" in the future, he said.

The two sides also discussed ways to boost Latvian exports to China. The Saeima  speaker highlighted the issue of poultry meat and grain exports, urging to support the certification process of these products by the Chinese authorities. The ambassador welcomed the opportunities to promote Latvia's exports to China, stressing that the fact that the two countries have several sister cities, which demonstrates the close contacts between the them, is also conducive to trade between the two countries. 

The ambassador also welcomed the establishment of a parliamentary friendship group for China and pledged to foster closer parliamentary cooperation between Latvia and China.