Latvian parliament's foreign affairs debate focuses on international cooperation, security

Latvian lawmakers on Thursday held their annual debate on foreign affairs, which was preceded by Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics' report focusing on national security and Latvia's activities in various international organizations.

In these challenging times, Latvia cannot afford to be weak in its domestic and foreign affairs, Rinkevics told MPs as he named last year's main achievements and outlined plans for 2017.

The minister named Latvia's accession to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the agreement reached at NATO's Warsaw Summit on boosting the alliance's eastern flank as the main achievements of last year.

The official also warned against taking a passive position in times of global turbulence.

Latvia's foreign policy and voice must become even more noticeable and heard in the world, the foreign minister said.

Rinkevics pointed out that although Latvia has quite a few friends who would lend a helping hand if needed, it is Latvia's own duty to take care of its growth, development and security.

In his speech, Rinkevics voiced resolve to work with new U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration.

He also pledged to actively defend Latvia's positions in the upcoming talks on British departure from the European Union and called for a more active dialogue with Russia's civic society.

Ojars Eriks Kalnins, chairman of the Latvian parliament foreign affairs committee, underlined expatriates' role in promoting Latvia's interests in foreign countries and called for their increased involvement in Latvia's politics. Endit