Saeima adopts the budget for 2016 (02.12.2015.)
On Monday, 30 November, the Saeima in the final reading adopted the Law on the State Budget for 2016, the Medium-term Framework Budget Law, amendments to 23 laws and a new law.
Press releases
On Thursday, 3 December, the Saeima in the final reading adopted urgent amendments to the Public Procurement Law. According to the new provisions of the Law, scientific expert evaluations will be exempt from the procurement procedure as long as the total amount of the contract is below the threshold of EUR 134 000 and the contract is concluded with experts from an internationally recognised database of scientific experts.
Sworn public notaries and bailiffs are now authorised to mediate. On Thursday, 26 November, the Saeima adopted changes in the Law on Notaries and Law on Bailiffs in the third reading. Amendments have expanded the list of mediation service providers, while retaining the same quality requirements – both notaries and bailiffs will be required to undergo certification. Legislation pertaining to mediation was adopted in Latvia last year in order to provide for out-of-court settlement of civil disputes and offer mediation as a form of alternative dispute resolution.
Saeima adopts National Security Concept (26.11.2015.)
On Thursday, 26 November, the Saeima adopted a draft decision on the National Security Concept.
Priorities of the Baltic parliamentary cooperation for 2016: a secure, united and open Baltic region (20.11.2015.)
On Friday, 20 November, participants of the 34th Session of the Baltic Assembly (BA) in Vilnius, Lithuania, adopted the Final Document of the 34th Session and agreed on prioritising activities aimed at ensuring a secure, united and open Baltic region.
On Wednesday, 18 November, a ceremonial sitting of the Saeima marking the 97th anniversary of the proclamation of the independence of the Republic of Latvia was held at the Saeima. “It is during times of peace when a state may build its security. First of all, it is built in the minds of the people. People will only defend what they consider worth fighting for. We must do what it takes to ensure that our people perceive our state as something worth defending,” said Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, addressing the ceremonial meeting.
Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, mourns the death of the victims of the Paris terrorist attacks at the Embassy of France (16.11.2015.)
On Saturday, 14 November, Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, laid flowers at the Embassy of France in Riga, commemorating the victims of the recent terrorist attack and expressing her support to French people.
“The refugee crisis is an unprecedented phenomenon, which poses a serious threat to the unity of the European Union. Although the scale of the migration crisis is enormous, and it has overwhelmed the EU’s agenda, we must not forget about other challenges Europe is currently facing. Europe has demonstrated its ability to overcome various difficulties and rely on the common values and close cooperation in solving the crisis,” said Lolita Čigāne, Chairperson of the European Affairs Committee of the Saeima on Friday, 13 November.
Speaker Mūrniece to Ukrainian Prime Minister: Syrian crisis should not divert the world’s attention from Ukraine (06.11.2015.)
On Friday, 6 November, Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, met with Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Prime Minister of Ukraine. “Syrian crisis should not divert the attention of the international community from Ukraine,” she emphasised. Speaker Mūrniece also confirmed that Latvia will continue actively supporting the talks between Ukraine and the European Union (EU) and other international organisations.
On Friday, 6 November, Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, received Andrian Candu, President of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, in the Saeima. “Moldova and Latvia are engaged in active political dialogue and practical cooperation. Latvia will continue supporting Moldova’s European integration efforts.”