The Riga Session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (PA) was a high-level event with regard to both organisation and content, confirmed Ms. Judith Garber, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States to the Republic of Latvia, when meeting Mr. Gundars Daudze, Chairman of the Saeima, on Tuesday, 8 June.

Regarding the NATO PA Spring Session, the Ambassador, on behalf of the U.S. delegation, expressed gratitude to Latvia for hosting it. “The Riga Session was organised excellently. Our delegation was very satisfied with participation in this event,” she declared.

Mr. Daudze appreciated the opportunity offered by the Parliamentary Assembly to discuss vital regional and global policy issues with U.S. Democratic Congressman John Tanner, President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

„For Latvia, comprehensive security was, is and always will remain the main national priority,” said Mrs. Vaira Paegle, Head of the Latvian delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, on Tuesday, 1 June, in her address to the participants of the discussion on “NATO’s Future: The Baltic View”.

In reflecting on the proceedings of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Mrs. V.Paegle said, “Because NATO has added a broad security dimension to its military defence, committee reports ranged from alliance solidarity and the High North to the economic crisis in Central and Eastern Europe and maritime security.”

„While the general public is decidedly eurosceptic, support for our membership in NATO has never wavered. Therefore, we look to the new Strategic Concept for reassurance that collective defence guarantees and Alliance cohesion and solidarity vows are renewed not only in words but also in concrete deeds,” said Mrs. V.Paegle.

Honourable President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly;
Honourable Prime Minister;
Participants of the Parliamentary Assembly;
Excellences;
Ladies and gentlemen,

It is my genuine pleasure to address the participants of the Spring Session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, as well as guests from the parliaments of NATO member states and associate countries. Today’s plenary sitting is the central event of the Session, and it marks the conclusion to several days of intensive work by participants in committee meetings, meetings of political groups, and the NATO-Russia Parliamentary Committee.

Mr President,
Mr Speaker,
Ministers,
Delegates,
Excellencies,
ladies and gentlemen!

I am delighted to have this unique opportunity to address the representatives of so many countries here in Riga.  In a sense, this session symbolizes the openness and cooperation of countries, the stability and security that could not be taken for granted 20 years ago, when our state was reborn.  Your presence in Riga and our mutual cooperation in strengthening international security is proof that Latvia has made the right foreign policy choice – membership in the Transatlantic Alliance.

In the six years since membership in NATO, we have reached the level of external security, solidarity with our allies, and psychological comfort that is necessary for Latvia’s further development.  This only goes to show that in a relatively short period of time, with our own efforts and the support of friends and allies, we have achieved one of Latvia’s two fundamental political goals – the security of our state and its inhabitants.