The insensitivity of the Ukrainian government towards the will of a great number of Ukrainian people has led to dramatic clashes between the protesters and the police. This is said in the joint statement on the situation in Ukraine adopted by the chairmen of the foreign affairs committees of the parliaments of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. The parliamentarians also urge European leaders to take a firm stand and condemn the violence in Kiev. 

In the statement, the chairmen of the foreign affairs committees of the Saeima, the Seimas and the Riigikogu attest that they are following the events in Ukraine with great concern.  

The statement also says that the new legislation restricting basic democratic principles and human rights like freedom of speech and freedom of assembly has given an excuse to use force against protesters. The chairmen of the foreign affairs committees of the Baltic parliaments ask the Ukrainian government and protesters to negotiate and find a peaceful solution by democratic means.

The statement goes on to express the conviction that continuation of the clashes and repression will lead the country into chaos that will benefit no one. In conclusion, the statement calls to end the violence and agree on the roadmap of necessary actions to end the standoff by negotiations, with the help of independent mediator, if needed.

The joint statement was adopted on Thursday, 23 January, and was signed by Ojārs Ēriks Kalniņš, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Saeima; Benediktas Juodka, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Seimas; and Marko Mihkelson, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu.

Saeima Press Service