Riga to host Parliamentary Summit of International Crimea Platform in October

RIGA - The third Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimea Platform will convene in Riga this October and will be co-hosted by Saeima Speaker Daiga Mierina (Greens/Farmers) and the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk, Saeima Press Service informed LETA.

The Parliamentary Summit aims to raise global awareness and support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders and seeks to underscore the global impact of Russia's aggression and to continue shedding light on the aggressor's crimes at the international level.

"The fight for Ukraine's freedom and security takes place not only on the front line, but also in the international arena. During my recent visit to Ukraine, I saw that Ukrainians love their homeland with the same fervor as us Latvians. Beyond doubt, such love for their homeland will bring victory over the cruel aggressor in the Ukrainians' homeland, but for it to happen as soon as possible, it is important to maintain consistent support from the international community and unwavering conviction that every ally matters for Ukraine to attain victory," stated Mierina.

The Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimea Platform will be held in Riga as part of Latvia's unwavering support for Ukraine and its commitment to upholding the rules-based international order.

"The Russian war against Ukraine, Europe and the democratic world began in 2014 with the occupation of the Ukrainian Crimea and must be completed by the liberation of the entire territory of Ukraine, including Crimea. Let's unite our voices and energies. Let's channel our actions and our emotions into meaningful action because the decisions we make today will determine the future of our nations and the world. I am grateful to Latvia and its Parliament for the decision to host the third Parliamentary Summit and I strongly believe that it will become another proof of the important role that parliaments can play in consolidating the efforts in support of our victory," said Stefanchuk.

The International Crimea Platform is a government, parliament, and expert level coordination and consultation format that was established in 2021 to raise awareness among the world leaders and society at large about Russia's illegal occupation of the territory of Crimea, its negative impact on the human rights of locals, security in the Black Sea Region, global food security, and the rules-based international order.

Previous parliamentary summits of the International Crimea Platform have been organized in Zagreb and Prague, bringing together MPs from numerous countries and international parliamentary organizations.