Latvia and Lithuania strongly condemn violent suppression of protests in Georgia - Mierina

RIGA - Latvia and Lithuania strongly condemn the violent suppression of the protests in Georgia, Latvian Saeima Speaker Daiga Mierina (Greens/Farmers) told journalists after a meeting with the newly elected Speaker of the Lithuanian Seimas Saulius Skvernelis.

"We also discussed the current events of the last few days, we are very concerned about the negative developments of the situation in Georgia. Today the Georgian people are fighting for their future in Europe. We stand in solidarity and unity with the people of Georgia in these difficult days," said Mierina.

She noted that both countries strongly condemn the violence in Georgia, which has been used to repress protests. Mierina also stressed that the Baltic States have agreed to impose national sanctions against the Georgian law enforcement leaders who have repressed the protests.

The two countries also regret that the current Georgian government has turned its back on democratic values.

Skvernelis also noted after the meeting that the use of violence in Georgia is reprehensible and a cause of great concern and expressed his support for the Georgian people.

Mierina also expressed her pleasure that Skvernelis had chosen Latvia as his first country to visit. During the meeting, various issues were discussed, such as security, defense, transport, Mierina said.

"We will continue to invest more in security and I would like to underline that Latvia and Lithuania spend more than 3 percent of their gross domestic product on defense," Mierina said.

The two sides also discussed support to Ukraine, agreeing that support should be provided until Ukraine's complete victory.

"We agree that peace is not possible without Ukraine's own participation and opinion in the process," the Saeima Speaker stressed.

As reported, the newly elected speaker of the Lithuanian Seimas has arrived in Latvia today.

It is the first foreign visit as speaker of the Lithuanian parliament since his election.