Latvian and French MPs agree on protection of democracy as shared responsibility

RIGA - Latvian and French parliamentarians, during a meeting at the Saeima on Thursday, agreed on the protection of democracy as a shared responsibility, the Saeima Press Service informed LETA.

"In these turbulent times, we must stand guard for democracy together, defending our common values," Saeima Secretary Edvards Smiltens (United List) said as he welcomed to the Saeima a delegation from the French Senate's Franco-Baltic Parliamentary Friendship Group.

Latvia and France are united not only by friendship but also by shared values, said Smiltens, who also chairs the Saeima group promoting cooperation with the French Parliament. The parliamentarians discussed the fight against disinformation, highlighting in particular the issue of social networks.

According to the Saeima Press Service, France is an important security partner and NATO ally for the Baltic states, not only strengthening the Alliance's enhanced presence battle group in Estonia but also policing Baltic airspace.

The two sides were united in their support for Ukraine. Russia's war in Ukraine has further highlighted Russia's aggressive nature. "It will never be the same again," Smiltens stressed. The talks also highlighted the fight against Russian hybrid threats and security in the digital environment.

Discussions also touched on ways to strengthen cooperation in the economic sphere, with special emphasis on Latvia's craft traditions.

The Latvian and French parliamentarians also discussed culture and education, including French language learning. In Latvia, the transition to a second foreign language in schools, one of the official languages of the European Union (EU), is making the study of French increasingly popular, and French support is helping to boost the training of French-speaking teachers in Latvia, the Saeima Press Service said.

MPs highlighted the importance of parliamentary contacts for strengthening cooperation also in other areas. During their visit to Latvia, the French MPs also met with members of the Saeima Committees on Foreign Affairs, Defense, Interior Affairs and Prevention of Corruption, and Public Administration and Local Governments.