Russia remains biggest threat to Europe - Mierina

RIGA - Russia remains the biggest threat to Europe - this aggressor must be contained and society's resilience must be strengthened, Saeima Speaker Daiga Mierina (Greens/Farmers) said today, addressing a conference of speakers of the European Union (EU) parliaments in Budapest, Hungary.

"The brutal aggressor has been waging war in Ukraine for more than three years. Russia is our common long-term threat. Its habits have not changed for centuries. We need to develop our defense capabilities, our military industry and the resilience of our societies," Mierina said.

She stressed that the sanctions pressure must continue. The Saeima speaker also noted that the enemy threatens not only our physical borders, but also our minds. "An educated and critically thinking European is our answer, it is our future," the Saeima speaker stressed. "Let us be aware of the looming dangers, but also of the enormous strength that lies in our unity and common action. Let us act today to be safe and strong tomorrow," Mierina urged.

She called for strengthening Europe's competitiveness as well as democracy. She also noted that the future of the EU is seen through further enlargement, stressing that it must be merit-based, but at the same time Europe's doors must remain open to any country willing to move towards its values and ideas.

For Latvia, becoming a full member of the EU 21 years ago was a huge achievement, Mierina said. "We still see EU membership as a security guarantee," she said, calling for strengthening mutual trade and contacts between societies.

The conference in Budapest was opened by Hungarian National Assembly Speaker Laszlo Kever and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. According to the Saeima press service, most of the participants were outraged by Orban's remarks as he juxtaposed support for Ukraine with his country's need for energy resources from Russia.

However, during the speech of the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Ruslan Stefanchuk, the speakers of the EU parliaments rose to their feet and expressed their support and solidarity with Ukraine in its struggle for freedom and independence, the Saeima press service noted.

The Conference of Speakers of the EU Parliaments (EUSC) is an annual forum for speakers to exchange views, information and experience. It brings together speakers of the EU member states' parliaments, the president of the European Parliament and parliament speakers from EU candidate countries.