Saeima expresses support for opening EU accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova

RIGA - The Saeima on Thursday adopted a resolution expressing support for opening negotiations with candidate states Ukraine and Moldova on their accession to the European Union (EU).

As LETA was told at the Saeima press office, the resolution, which the Saeima European Affairs Committee approved on Wednesday, calls on other EU member states to support the European Commission's recommendations and greenlight the EU accession talks by the end of this year. The Latvian parliamentarians also urge the European Commission and the Council of the EU to prepare and adopt the negotiating frameworks for Ukraine and Moldova without a delay.

The two candidate countries are being urged to continue the necessary reforms that will facilitate compliance with the EU's shared values, closer integration into the EU as well as greater stability, security and prosperity in the region.

The Saeima statement affirms Latvia's readiness to provide necessary support to Ukraine and Moldova in implementing reforms on their path towards full membership of the European Union.

Edmunds Cepuritis (Progressives), chairman of the European Affairs Committee, indicated that Latvia has a special responsibility to remind its EU partners of the importance of strengthening support for nations that stand for freedom, democracy, the rule of law and human rights.

"Despite Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing hybrid warfare operations in Moldova, these countries have made tremendous efforts to move even closer to the European Union, both in terms of values and governance. The Saeima's statement will significantly reinforce this message to other member states," said Cepuritis.

The European Council is scheduled to decide in mid-December on the European Commission's recommendation to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova. If the decision is positive, the preparation of the negotiating framework will start, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed lawmakers.

The European Affairs Committee will ask the Saeima to include the draft resolution on the agenda of the Saeima's November 23 sitting.