In connection with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s Spring Session, the Saeima Defence, Internal Affairs and Corruption Prevention Committee invites students to participate in a photo competition „My Secure Latvia”. The main prize will be a tour aboard a naval ship.  

Secondary school students are asked to send in a digital photo taken by them, which reflects how they understand the security of their family, friends, school or the entire country. Organisers of the competition urges students to be creative in conveying through their photos those aspects which make them feel secure in Latvia.  

The photographs will be assessed by a jury consisting of the Chairman of the Saeima Defence, Internal Affairs and Corruption Prevention Committee, Mr. Juris Dalbiņš, Committee members and a professional photographer.  

The ten best young photographers will receive the main prize — a visit to the naval base and a tour aboard a naval ship.   

During the first week of March, the delegation of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s (PA) International Secretariat visited Latvia to familiarise itself with the progress in preparing for the NATO PA’s Session which is expected to take place in Riga at the end of May.

At the end of the working visit, representatives of the delegation praised the work that the organisers have accomplished so far in preparing for the Session, and they acknowledged that the work which has been done so far leaves a good impression and creates confidence that Latvia will be able to manage the course of the Session in compliance with all international requirements. 

On Tuesday, 24 February, Gundars Daudze, Speaker of the Saeima, during his meeting with Audronius Ažubalis, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania, discussed, along with other issues, topicalities of the upcoming NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s Spring Session in Riga.

In discussing the agenda of the upcoming NATO PA’s Spring Session, the Saeima Speaker pointed out that the Riga Session intends to discuss topical NATO issues, such as drafting of the NATO Strategic Concept. The Spring Session in Riga will also address other important issues of international security – relations between the Alliance and Iran and Russia, as well as the NATO-led military operation in Afghanistan.

During the discussion, Vaira Paegle, Head of the Latvian delegation to NATO PA, emphasised that the Session should also turn its attention to France’s plans to sell to Russia the ultra-modern Mistral-class helicopter carriers.

On Thursday, 11 February, Mr. Gundars Daudze, Speaker of the Parliament of Latvia (Saeima), emphasised that hosting the NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s Spring Session in Riga will facilitate recognisability of Latvia.

Speaker of the Saeima indicated that the decision to host the NATO PA was adopted by the Saeima back in 2005; by organising this event we are affirming our commitment to our NATO partners. G. Daudze explained that it is a possibility to attract international attention to Latvia. Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Secretary General of NATO, as well as 400 representatives from NATO member states and associate countries will attend the event. Approximately 1,000 people are expected to visit Riga in the framework of the Session.

Speaker of the Saeima said that security measures in Riga will not be as strong as during the NATO Riga Summit in 2006; traffic will be restricted mostly in the vicinity of the venue in Ķīpsala. Daily life of Rigans will be affected as little as possible.

Ms. Vaira Paegle, head of the Latvian delegation to the NATO PA, highlighted the role of the Parliamentary Assembly and indicated that regarding certain issues the Parliamentary Assembly has been more categorical and strict than the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation itself. It has had a decisive role during Latvia’s accession to NATO.