Latvia: Russia wants to restore empire: President Rinkevics

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin dreams of restoring the Russian Empire, as indicated by Russian propaganda and hybrid warfare, Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics stated, LETA reported. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Rinkevics said that the Latvian government should remember that peacetime was over, stressing the need to boost the defence industry and defence…

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Latvia: President pledges support for Ukraine until total victory

Latvia will support Ukraine until total victory, Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics vowed, LSM reported. Speaking at a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Riga, Rinkevics called for shifting the strategic focus. “We have to support Ukraine until complete victory, not, like some say, as long as necessary,” he stated. Complete victory means…

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Latvia: President Rinkevics urges positive action, sense of unity

In his New Year’s message, Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics reflected on the anticipation of the “moment before” the new year, filled with aspirations for change and new goals, LSM reported. Acknowledging that past resolutions may not have been fully realised, the President encouraged carrying over hopes into the new year, turning them into concrete goals…

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Latvia: President, Foreign Minister stress Israel’s right to defend itself

Latvia’s President Edgars Rinkevics and Foreign Minister Krisjanis Karins strongly condemned the indiscriminate terrorist attacks by Palestinian group Hamas against Israeli citizens. They stressed that Israel had the right to defend its people. Latvia stands in solidarity with the people of Israel, Rinkevics stated. Karins insisted that the violence must stop. At the same time,…

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Latvia: President Rinkevics pays working visit to Finland

Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics is paying a working visit to Finland on 28 September 2023, YLE reports. Speaking at a joint press conference with Finnish President Sauli Niinistö, Rinkevics noted that Latvia and Finland were “like-minded countries” that were “facing similar geopolitical challenges.” The two presidents discussed bilateral relations, including a joint plan to begin…

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Latvia: Pres. Rinkevics urges formation of broadest possible coalition government

Latvia’s President, Edgars Rinkevics, met with representatives of the United List alliance to discuss the formation of a new coalition government, LETA reports. He said that forming a government with the broadest possible parliamentary majority was still possible. Earlier, United List refused an invitation from prime minister-designate Evika Silina to form a four-party coalition government…

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Latvia: Pres. Rinkevics nominates Evika Silina for prime minister

Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics has nominated New Unity’s Evika Silina for prime minister, LETA reports. Silina would replace New Unity leader Krisjanis Karins, who announced his resignation from the premiership earlier. Silina serves as minister of welfare in the current government. Rinkevics expressed confidence that Silina would be able to form the broadest possible coalition…

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Latvia: Pres. Rinkevics calls for review of electricity tariffs

Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics called for a review of existing electricity distribution tariffs, LSM reports. Speaking after a meeting with Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins, Rinkevics said that the behaviour of the market regulator, the Public Utilities Commission (SPRK), was “unacceptable.” He insisted that the increase in electricity tariffs was “disproportionate.” The new tariffs came into…

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