Russia shamelessly tests NATO's patience - Saeima speaker

RIGA - Russia is shamelessly testing NATO's patience, Saeima Speaker Daiga Mieriņa (Greens/Farmers) said on Tuesday at a meeting with Portuguese Parliament Speaker Jose Pedro Aguiar-Branco in Lisbon.

According to LETA, Branco stressed that no country could feel safe from the Russian threat, noting that the distance from Russia was no longer enough to protect against the threat.

Mierina thanked Portugal for its contribution to strengthening the security of NATO's Eastern flank. Mierina also invited Portugal to join the Latvia-UK led drone coalition, noting that Latvia is also open to joint exercises, including a special drone training ground in Selija, Latvia.

The two sides also discussed issues related to the sanctions pressure on Russia and other options to limit the aggressor state's capacity to act, including completing the confiscation and transfer of frozen assets to Ukraine.

On the issue of how to strengthen democracy, the parliament speakers placed particular emphasis on the fight against hybrid threats and disinformation, as well as on the role of national parliaments in engaging with the public.

During her visit to the parliament, Miering and the delegation will also meet with members of the parliament's foreign affairs committee and European affairs committee, as well as visit the newly-opened Parliament Centre.

Mierina is also scheduled to meet the Portuguese Minister of Defense, Nuno Melo.

As reported earlier, Saeima Speaker Daiga Mierina (Greens/Farmers) is on a working visit to Portugal to meet with the country's top officials and discuss current bilateral, security and European issues.