Murniece confirms Latvia's readiness to help Estonia with Covid-19 patients

RIGA - Latvia is ready to provide Estonia assistance, and, if needed, receive Covid-19 patients from Estonia, said Latvian Saeima speaker Inara Murniece (National Alliance) in a remote meeting with Estonia's new parliament speaker Juri Ratas.

Murniece congratulated Ratas on his election to the position.

"Cooperation and dialogue between our two countries is close and active also during the pandemic," said Murniece, adding that Estonians and Latvians are close friends and partners with shared values and interests. The politician praised the excellent bilateral contacts, including between the two parliament, as well as cooperation within the EU and NATO.

Discussing the Covid-19 challenges, Murniece repeatedly confirmed Latvia's readiness to help Estonia. "The situation is alarming. We are ready to provide assistance and, if necessary, accept Covid-19 patients from Estonia in our hospitals," said Murniece.

Both parliament speakers also discussed Rail Baltica projects, synchronization of the Baltic power networks. Murniece pointed at the active role of the Baltic Assembly in regional cooperation and development of the main infrastructure projects, underscoring that cooperation in this format is pragmatic.

Murniece and Ratas agreed that the close contacts among the Latvian, Estonian and Lithuanian parliament speakers should be maintained.