On June 8, at the Jurmala residence, President Egils Levits met with representatives of the Board of the World Association of Free Latvians (PBLA). During the conversation, special attention was paid to the geopolitical situation and security issues. The President informed the PBLA about the forthcoming meeting of the leaders of the NATO Eastern Flank (B9 – Bucharest Nine) this week, where a common position on strengthening the presence of Allied forces in Latvia will be discussed.
“We are trying to achieve a closer NATO independent presence by spending more time with the Allies in Latvia. This is a signal to Moscow that NATO is here and defending every member state, ”said the President. “NATO is characterized by a policy of deterrence, and Russia can only be deterred by positions of force or by a clear signal of military capability,” Levits said. Representatives of the PBLA Board inquired about the President’s vision for the war in Ukraine, as well as about NATO enlargement, taking into account the applications of Sweden and Finland for membership in the organization.
Current issues of domestic policy, foreign policy and diaspora policy were also discussed during the meeting. The President noted that the current issue in domestic politics this year will be the Saeima elections, which are expected this year. g. in October. “These elections will mark a course of reasoning,” Levits said, calling on the PBLA to help promote diaspora participation in the election, including by educating about the election process. During the conversation, the issues of public cohesion, the need to strengthen internal security and the internal affairs system were also discussed. Representatives of the PBLA were also interested in discussing the current issue of transitioning to teaching only in the state language, outlining the experience of diaspora schools.
The President informed about the 20-21. The forthcoming Three Seas Summit and Business Forum in Riga in June will bring together leaders of 12 countries and several hundred entrepreneurs to promote private investment in the transport and energy sectors in the region. Representatives of the PBLA, in turn, informed about the work plan of the diaspora in connection with the Eslingen Song Festival on the 16th and 19th of this year. in June.
Taking the opportunity to meet the representatives of the association in person, the President presented a letter of commendation to Andris Ķesters, a member of the Board of the World Association of Free Latvians, for his lifetime work and contribution to maintaining the Latvian diaspora identity and diaspora policy-making. “You are characterized by the love of the Fatherland. You have served our Latvia unselfishly throughout your life. You have purposefully promoted the involvement of the Latvian diaspora in works of national significance, shared Latvian values and traditions, documented and immortalized history, taken care of Latvian culture and education, and managed the work of public organizations in Canada and Europe for many years, ”noted E. Levits.
Chancellery of the President
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