The current Minister of Foreign Affairs Krišjānis Kariņš (JV) does not agree with the criticism of the spending of special flights during the time of the Prime Minister.
“I don’t agree, I believe that the prime minister should be at the negotiating table where they take place. The trips are only a means to get from Riga to another point,” when asked if he agrees with the criticism of spending, in an interview with the LTV program “Morning Panorama” said Karins.
He also stated that he encourages current Prime Minister Evikas Silina (JV) to use such flights if necessary.
Kariņš explained that the Prime Minister is the only official who cannot be replaced. “If the prime minister is not present, no one else can replace him in the negotiations,” he emphasized.
Speaking about the use of such flights in his current position, Kariņš said that it is not possible to use these special flights in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and he uses “commercial connections”, which often cause difficulties to successfully plan all visits.
As reported, the special flights intended for the delegations during Kariņas’ time as Prime Minister from September 2021 to September 2023 cost 613,830 euros from the state budget, according to the information gathered by the State Chancellery (VK).
Politicians of the “United List” (AS) have shown interest in the special flights made during Kariņš’s time, requesting to provide them with such information. AS wanted to know about the services of private airlines used by Kariņš during his term as prime minister. The information about it was prepared by the director of the VC, Citskovskis, in accordance with the resolution of Silina.
One of the requesters, member of the Saeima Edvards Smiltēns (AS), referring to the received answer, publicly states that a third of all flights were made not by buying a seat on a regular flight, but by renting the entire plane.
In 2021, 144,800 euros, 332,717 euros in 2022, and 136,313 euros in 2023 were used from the state budget funds to provide Kariņš’s special flights, according to Tsitskovskis’ letter. Smiltēns states that the relevant sums were used for 18 flights.
The head of the SC indicates that in the period from January 2019 to September 2023 mentioned in the JSC request, the delegation led by the Prime Minister used regular flights in 35 flights and 18 special flight services when going on foreign business trips.
The destinations of the special flights included Belgium, Slovenia, Germany, France, Portugal, Great Britain, Slovakia, the Netherlands, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Poland and Moldova, and the number of passengers in the delegation of Kariņš as prime minister was between five and nine persons.
Citskovskis explains in his letter, among other things, that such flights were necessary so that, even under complicated logistical conditions, it would be possible to simultaneously attend events in Latvia and represent his country abroad.
It can be concluded from Tsitskovskis’ letter that other prime ministers have also used special flights to ensure the functions of the Prime Minister.
In his answer to the Saeima Requests Commission, Siliņa emphasizes, among other things, the increase in the role of the Prime Minister in foreign policy. It is necessary to promote international support for Latvia’s interests, as well as at the same time ensure the opportunity to return to Latvia as soon as possible, explains the head of the government.
2023-11-16 07:44:17
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