This week, on 23 and 24 October, Riga is hosting the third Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimea Platform. The event aims to highlight the global impact of Russia’s aggression and continue to shed light at the international level on the crimes committed by the aggressor and promote international support to Ukraine. The summit brings together delegations from around 40 countries of the world. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes the contribution made by the Saeima (the Latvian Parliament) to the organisation of an ambitious summit.
On the opening day of the summit, 23 October, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, will deliver an address at the event organised by the Embassy of Ukraine in Latvia, which will see the screening of a documentary, “The True Story of Crimea”.
At the Crimean Platform Summit, the Foreign Minister will hold a number of meaningful bilateral meetings.
- On 23 October, Baiba Braže will meet the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (EPPA), Theodoros Roussopoulos. The officials intend to discuss support to Ukraine, the process of creating a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, and the work of the Register of Damage, as well as threat of foreign disinformation, especially that of Russia. The Head of the Latvian Delegation to CEPA, Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, will join the discussion.
- On 24 October, Baiba Braže will meet the President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Gerald Edward Connolly. The officials will discuss security policy challenges, strengthening of resilience, increasing the Allied presence in Latvia, and the need for support to Ukraine.
- On 24 October, the Foreign Minister will meet the Speaker of Parliament of Tonga, Lord Fatafehi Fakafānua. Tonga has expressed strong support to Ukraine, both in multilateral formats and in condemning Russia’s aggression. Latvia and Tonga share a similar understanding that the system based on international law, principles and values is the main prerequisite for the interests of all countries to be heard equally well. The two countries also share common goals, including mitigating the effects of climate change and implementing a fair green and digital transition.
About the International Crimean Platform Parliamentary Summit
- Hosting the International Crimean Platform Parliamentary Summit in Riga is part of Latvia’s comprehensive support to Ukraine and contribution to strengthening the rules-based international order. The event is organised by the Saeima in close cooperation with the Parliament of Ukraine – the Verkhovna Rada.
- The International Crimea Platform was established in 2021 as a format for coordination and consultation at the level of states and governments, parliaments, foreign ministers, and experts created to raise awareness among world leaders and the wider public of the temporary occupation and annexation of the Crimean Peninsula, its negative impact on the human rights of local populations, security in the Black Sea region, global food security, and the rules‑based global order. The two previous parliamentary summits of the Crimea Platform took place in Zagreb and Prague.
Further information
- The Council of Europe, created in 1949, is the oldest political organisation in Europe and includes 46 European countries. The organisation aims at safeguarding human rights, democracy and the rule of law, achieving the uniformity of social and legal standards in the Member States, raising awareness of European identity and its values that includes the cultures of different European peoples. Following the war of aggression launched against Ukraine, Russia was expelled from the Council of Europe on 16 March 2022. At present, the Council of Europe has set as its main objective supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression and assistance in ensuring justice and holding the perpetrators accountable.
- The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) is one of the largest statutory bodies of the Council of Europe, convening parliamentarians from member states for regular session.
- The NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA) is a consultative interparliamentary organisation founded in 1955 and consisting of delegates from the parliaments of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s member countries.