Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, and Evika SILIŅA, Latvian Prime Minister, hold a press point on the occasion of the President's official visit to Riga (Latvia). This transcription is a result of an authomatic process. Please check against delivery.

press point

official visit

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

EU - Latvia (T)

Riga

Latvia

president's agenda

Press point by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Evika SILIŅA, Latvian Prime Minister

SOUNDBITE (Latvian), Evika SILIŅA, Latvian Prime Minister, A pleasure to meet with Madam Roberta Metsola, the President of the European Parliament, who is visiting Latvia and Riga today, and thus has launched her election campaign a cycle. And with this she is in her visits to regain the Baltics. She is beginning her cycle of visits around Europe. And it is noteworthy that this campaign has begun precisely in Riga.

SOUNDBITE (Latvian), Evika SILIŅA, Latvian Prime Minister, It is important for our people to see and understand that at a time when we have the historically highest rating for the European Union in Latvia and our membership to the EU, that we also see and feel that Latvia is part of Europe. We are Europe and our citizens vote for the future of Europe by taking part in the EU elections.

SOUNDBITE (Latvian), Evika SILIŅA, Latvian Prime Minister, These are just the same elections as our parliamentary elections because the people that we vote into the European Parliament are the people that will take decisions on sanctions against Russia, on support for Ukraine. Those are people who will decide also both the future of Latvia and the opportunity to take part in a free election as a cornerstone of democracy. It is very important for us to explain these opportunities, and I am happy to say that after amendments to the law, people will be able to vote from anywhere in Latvia, which will increase the opportunities for our people to take part in the elections wherever they are on Election Day.

SOUNDBITE (Latvian), Evika SILIŅA, Latvian Prime Minister, Yesterday, I met with the president of Ukraine, Mr. Volodymyr Zelensky. Ukraine is fighting with armed weapons in the hand for their future and the right to decide their own future. They want to be together with us and as they share the same values with us and our obligation is to support them. We discussed with the president of the European Parliament how important it is to provide a €50 million support to Ukraine and to continue the launched process of Ukraine's a session and negotiations.

SOUNDBITE (Latvian), Evika SILIŅA, Latvian Prime Minister, We cannot delay these steps. We must continue the work that we have started. And we also discussed other topics on the agenda. But the most important being that the European Union is united and standing together with us, understanding the challenges that the Baltics face with the neighbours such as Russia and Belarus. Thank you. And now the floor is given to the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Matola.

SOUNDBITE (Latvian), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Good morning, dear Prime Minister. Dear Evika. With the Prime Minister, as as she has just said, we have discussed and focussed on many topics. I'm very happy to be in Riga as the first stop of the get out the vote campaign as we prepare for the elections to the European Parliament that will take place here on the 8th of June.

SOUNDBITE (Latvian), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, These elections matter because they will set out the direction of Europe for the coming five years because it is the elected representatives that shape the policies and adopt legislation that affect us all, from digital to health to migration to climate to security. Saturday, the 8th of June is the chance for every Latvian to have a say on who represents you in Brussels. Every vote matters. You have the power to decide the direction of our union and what kind of Europe you want to see.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, So my appeal to you would be to not let someone else choose for you. In fact, later today, I will discuss these topics with young Latvians at a town hall event organised by the Latvian Institute of International Affairs. Well, I would be very clear. As much as I call to all Latvians to defend democracy by taking part.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, We spoke also with the Prime Minister about the upcoming special European Council of course, on Ukraine. First of all, Europe must not waver in its support, be it financial, be it political, be it military. In this sense, latvia has truly been exemplary as one of the biggest contributors of bilateral aid in the EU in relation to GDP, much of it in military aid, your support to Ukraine and Ukrainians, your personal support the Prime Minister has and continues to be remarkable. Thank you very much for your leadership, as we also saw with the historic visit of President Zelensky here yesterday.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Ukraine is not only fighting for its territory, but as an EU candidate country, also for our European values and our European security. We must continue to show unity and solidarity in defending Ukraine. The 12 sanctions package will further weaken Russia's war machine, but we must make sure that we are also able to prevent circumvention of our sanctions by closing any loopholes.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, So at the Special European Council, in three weeks time, it will be essential that an agreement is found on the continuation of EU financial support to Ukraine with the Ukraine facility. We invest in Ukraine's recovery, in its reconstruction and in its modernisation. We also need to make sure that we keep up the momentum from the historic decision in December to start membership negotiations. And here once again I thank Latvia for its leadership. Thank you.

Q&A, Question on low participation rates in elections in Latvia, both European and Latvian elections.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, -

SOUNDBITE (Latvian), Evika SILIŅA, Latvian Prime Minister, - 