Latvian Parliament Supports Start of EU Accession Talks with Ukraine and Moldova

, 23 November 2023, 12:42

The Saeima (Parliament) of Latvia unanimously adopted a statement of support for the start of negotiations on the accession of Ukraine and Moldova to the EU on 23 November.

"Latvia has a special responsibility to remind our partners in the European Union of the importance of strengthening support for societies that defend freedom, democracy, the rule of law and human rights.

Despite Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing hybrid war in Moldova, these countries have made tremendous efforts to get even closer to the European Union, both in terms of values and governance. The Saeima's statement will significantly strengthen this signal for other member states," press service of the Saeima quotes Edmunds Cepurītis, Saeima's European Affairs Committee chairman.

The MPS' statement calls on other member states to support the recommendations of the European Commission and approve the start of EU accession negotiations before the end of this year.

They also call on the European Commission and the Council of the European Union to prepare and approve the framework for negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova immediately.

The message calls on the two candidate countries to continue implementing the necessary reforms that will bring them in line with the common values of the European Union, promote closer integration into the EU and promote greater stability, security and prosperity in the region.

The statement of the Seimas confirms that Latvia is ready to provide the necessary support to Ukraine and Moldova in implementing reforms on the way to full membership in the European Union.

Recently, there have been signals from the EU that the EU may not support the start of negotiations on Ukraine's accession during the December summit. It is allegedly being considered to postpone this decision until March due to the lack of unity in the EU. Hungary publicly promised to block a positive decision for Kyiv.