Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Krišjanis KARIŅŠ, Latvian Prime Minister give a statement during a press point ahead of their official meeting.

Brussels

statement

press point

official visit

KARIŅŠ, Krišjānis (EPP, LV)

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

EU - Latvia (T)

president's agenda

Press point by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Krišjanis KARIŅŠ, Latvian Prime Minister

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, So good afternoon. I'm very pleased to welcome Prime Minister Kariņ&scaron; to the European Parliament in Brussels again. Prime Minister. Dear Kri&scaron;janis,geographically your capital, Riga is one of the European Union capitals closest to Russia. And in times of war, geography matters.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, The Baltic region with Latvia at its heart, has become the centre of gravity for Europe's security and defence. And I believe that we all understand Latvia's warnings about our hostile neighbour much better today.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, So since day one, Latvia has shaped EU policy, demonstrating steadfast leadership for Ukraine's cause and solidarity with Ukrainians. And I must thank you, Krišjanis, for this and we must continue. So Ukraine remains at the very top of our priority list.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, The Russian aggression also endangers our values. Our economy is being shaped by inflation and high energy prices. Climate change is putting further strains on our societies. So there are many challenges facing our union as we look towards the end of this legislative mandate with a very huge legislative responsibility here.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, But as long as we stand together, we have hope. And despite or maybe because of these challenges I think Europe is today stronger than before. We talked also about the need for growth and the EU's budget role in boosting our economies. The National Recovery and Resilience Facility, how that can be used also to boost green and digital transformations, while also making sure that the social and economic impacts are cushioned for our citizens.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, So I am pleased finally, that the European Union can rely on trustworthy members such as Latvia, with your leadership, Krišjanis. I am confident that after nearly two decades of EU membership, you can also continue to rely on us. The floor is yours.

SOUNDBITE (English), Krišjānis KARIŅŠ, Latvian Prime Minister, Thank you very much, dear Metsola. It's always a pleasure to meet with you. And when like minded people meet, it's good that we exchange the views. Regarding your personal leadership role, with the war, Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine, I think this is very important, of course, primarily for Ukraine, but for all of us in Europe to see that the leader of our largest democratic common institution has from the very outset such a clear and unwavering line of support for Ukraine.

SOUNDBITE (English), Krišjānis KARIŅŠ, Latvian Prime Minister, For the values that the Ukrainians are fighting and dying for, freedom, democracy and the rule of law, that which we take for granted on a daily basis, many of us here in Europe. But we have to look forward and plan for a number of contingencies.

SOUNDBITE (English), Krišjānis KARIŅŠ, Latvian Prime Minister, So on the one hand, everyone is in big anticipation of the spring offensive that the Ukrainians will be waging. But we have to remember that regardless of how the current situation of of liberating Ukrainian territory proceeds, we in Europe must remain and prepare ourselves for continued unwavering support regardless of of the events of this week or next week, that we have to be in it for the long haul.

SOUNDBITE (English), Krišjānis KARIŅŠ, Latvian Prime Minister, Simply put, as long as it takes. And one of the important aspects that also the European Parliament's position is very clear is that we need to keep not only the extended hand to Ukraine for European membership, but also to help them enact the reforms which, in spite of the war we see that they're doing on a daily basis. And I think it's important that we would open up the formal accession process. They would have to undergo the reforms regardless.

SOUNDBITE (English), Krišjānis KARIŅŠ, Latvian Prime Minister, But I think it's extremely important for the Ukrainian people. They are fighting and dying to become one of us and we have to do our part as well. It's also important that we hold collectively, Russia accountable for all of the crimes that they are committing, the crimes that are being documented, the crimes must be tried in a proper court.

SOUNDBITE (English), Krišjānis KARIŅŠ, Latvian Prime Minister, And of course, the reconstruction of Ukraine has to rest on a large part on the budget of and the funds of Russia, which is currently the country which is in the process of trying to destroy Ukrainian infrastructure. And finally, the sanctions regime that we have adopted in Europe is a very, very important part of our effort to support Ukraine.

SOUNDBITE (English), Krišjānis KARIŅŠ, Latvian Prime Minister, And what we need to focus on is closing the loopholes so that sanctions avoidance becomes ever more difficult to the point where it becomes in Europe, impossible to circumvent. So your leadership, and I think on a personal, level has been extremely important. And I think all of Parliament, certainly all of Ukraine is counting on this continued unwavering support that all of us in Europe need to continue to to voice. Thank you.

Q&amp;A, I have a question for President Metsola, two, if I may, in fact. First, you were just in Moldova and in Moldova you delivered the speech about the European aspirations of this country. But I wonder what makes you think that European Union is ready to accept a country like Moldova?

Q&A, And secondly, in the introductory remarks, you mentioned climate change and the legislative responsibility that Parliament holds. Still the at the ENVI committee we saw now the vote that blocked the passage of the nature restoration law. So are you worried that this pro-European majorities that you like to talk about often are not there anymore? Thank you.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, So thank you very much. On Moldova. You know, for me, it's not a question of what does Europe need, but what can Europe do? The European Union is not just an economic trading bloc. It is a group of countries that come together, have come together like never before. Not only for internal and market, but for values. And also today, more than ever, for security. \.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, And my message to Moldova, when I was there and I addressed an 80,000 strong crowd of pro-European Moldovans who are asking Europe to let them in. And my message to them, in preparation also for the European political community, where we will all be there again next week, was very clear that for every country that looks at Europe as its home, then Europe should open its arms because otherwise those countries might be tempted or subverted to look elsewhere.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, And that's a reality that we live today. And it's also one that I think we should not take for granted the power of transformation that European Union brings. Our countries both joined in 2004, and I think we can all agree the transformative effects that EU membership brought. Now, of course, every country has its own path and and reforms need to be made, and it's a step by step process.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, But let's also match aspirations with our willingness to engage and be open, rather than not. That is a very strong position of the Parliament and that is one that finds huge majorities in this House.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Now, on the vote, it was actually not in that committee that you mentioned, but in two others. So they were opinions. We will need to see the outcome of what will happen between now and the plenary stage. But that is a vote that reflects the position of that committee at this stage.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, In this case, it was on the nature restoration law and it is also one that I would say there are concerns by several countries, and I think those have been reflected in this vote. However, also I would like to refer to the very, very successful negotiations on the ETS, the emissions trading system, the carbon border adjustment mechanism, the Social Climate Fund.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Where Parliament's negotiating position, for all European, very constructive in terms of very much pushing towards the green transition, but also seeing how the economic and social impacts can be cushioned were reflected in the final agreement with, the Council. And that is something that is also one that I think we can be proud of.

Q&A, Madam President, when you were in Moldova, of course you saw the pro-European crowd. But nonetheless, there is a strong pro-Russian forces as well in Moldova. So do you think that creates a big risk?

Q&A, And what about the situation in Transnistria also, which sort of is is a very difficult point for Moldova?

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, I think Krišjanis is also perhaps you want to comment on this, I mean, on this. My choice was simple, that I will go to a pro-European rally led by the President of the country that has embarked on unprecedented anti-corruption reforms and pro-European path in a country that is in a very vulnerable situation.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, And Moldova needs one message. And this people need one message, that they are not alone. I think is one that I think reverberates across pro-European democracies in our union. And it is one that we will continue to push back against very real intimidation, threats or any undermining of any democratic process there, as we continue to see or we might see in forthcoming elections there.

Q&A, So, your take is that the Russian influence there is increasing or decreasing right now?

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, I think the message on Sunday was pretty clear that Moldova is on a very, very clear pro-European path and it will continue to be so with our help and support. Thank you.