On 4th of April delegation of Verhovna Rada on interparliamentary relations with Latvian Republic came with the visit to the capital of Latvia – Riga. This visit became possible with the support of Honorary Consulate of Latvia in Chernigiv, Heads of Verhovna Rada group on interparliamentary relations with Latvia - peoples deputy Oleksander Koloda, and peoples deputy of Sejm - Ajnars Mezhulis, and with participation of Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Ukraine in Latvian Republic HE Evgen Perebyjnis and Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Latvia in Ukraine HE Yuris Paikans. Our delegation had a number of important meetings with the leadership of the country, business representatives, doctors and volunteers that help Ukraine and Ukrainian students.

First of all we had a meeting with the Head of Latvian parliament Inara Murnietse and Latvian Prime Minister Marius Kuchinskis. Mrs. Murnietse stated that Latvia with its nation heartily supports Ukraine and its people in its fight for independence and renovation of all governmental structures. “Latvia supports Ukraine in the process of reforming on its way to EU. We will gladly welcome Ukrainians in the big European family. But now it all depends on you: only with your hands you can build new strong Ukraine”, - speaker stressed.

Mr. Kuchinskis again pointed on the fact that Ukraine and Latvia are strategic partners and good friends, and assured representatives of Ukrainian delegation of the widest support from Latvia side. He expressed wide support in choosing of European way of development and stressed that Latvia is ready to help Ukraine by any means. Additionally delegates discussed municipality system and principals of administrative-territorial reform with representatives of Ministry of Ecology and Regional Development of Latvia. They had a conversation with Minister of Agriculture of Latvia Yanis Duklavs and with the Head of defense committee, internal affairs and anti corruption - Aynars Latkovskis. Looked at regulation policy of financial and bank markets of Latvia during the meeting with financial market and capital Commission.

During the meeting with international relations commission of Sejm, discussed bilateral cooperation and support: Latvian position stood solid – sanctions against RF will remain until fulfillment of all Minsk Agreements. As stated by people’s deputy of Sejm Yanis Dombrova, “Ukraine and Latvia today should unite in Baltic-Black sea cooperation format to counteract to Russian threat”.

During the meeting with Ukrainian parliament members, Latvian minister of education and science Karlis Sadurskis shared his experience in reforming of vocational education. Lated members of Ukrainian delegation discussed the ways for bilateral cooperation with representatives of Ministry of Culture of Latvian Republic.

Additionally we, together with Mrs. Inara Murnietse – speaker of Sejm, met Ukrainian students that study in Latvia. There are a total of 230 young people form Ukraine that get higher education in Latvia.

Our visit to the Center of Plastic Reconstructive and Microsurgery in Riga was unforgettable. Clinic provides free surgery for Ukrainian soldiers that were injured in ATO area. Adding to all Latvia has support fund for Ukrainian soldiers that supplies medicine and provide transportation of injured. Doctors of the clinic provide surgery free of cost. More than twenty Ukrainians received treatment in Latvia and nine of them – in this center.

Pleasant conclusion of this few days of visit were agreements with administration of Latvian town of Prejli that soon will become brother town with Ukrainian Nizhyn: it is planned to sign agreement on cooperation and friendship between Prejli and Nizhyn on 12th of April.