On 13 November 2020, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Edgars Rinkēvičs, in his traditional concluding remarks at the Riga Conference, expressed his appreciation for the successful organisation and running of the event. According to statistical data compiled by the organisers, over three days, the online conference had attracted around 150,000 unique visitors.
At the conclusion of the conference, the Minister said that structural changes are taking place in the European Union and the United States alike, and this is related to the societal attitudes toward contemporary challenges and the possibilities of countering them. We understand that the so-called Western concept should be further fine-tuned in the nearest months and years, building on our shared values and interests.
The Minister underlined that the European Union has become stronger over the passing years. Today, we are approaching and solving questions related to Brexit, the pandemic and economic challenges in a rational manner. We also have better mutual understanding of what is taking place in Europe’s eastern and southern neighbourhoods and we are aware of many complicated situations that need to be tackled.
Speaking about the violence perpetrated by Belarusian authorities against the citizens of their country, the Minister recalled the need for the international community to react firmly to human rights abuses. He informed the audience that the Baltic States’ Foreign Ministers have agreed to additional sanctions targeting officials of the Belarusian security authorities involved in such abuses, and the Baltic Foreign Ministers will also urge the European Union to expand sanctions on Belarus as appropriate.
Edgars Rinkēvičs expressed confidence in winning the battle with COVID-19, just as the Spanish flu pandemic was defeated a hundred years ago. Society is still facing the fight against disinformation, and for democracy, the rule of law and human rights. However, despite scepticism, someday there will be victory, as it has always been in history when a downward slope is followed by an upturn.
This year, the Rīga Conference celebrates its 15th anniversary. Annually it brings together high-level experts, diplomats, politicians, business representatives, and journalists, promoting a wide-ranging and meaningful discussion on long-term foreign policy and security policy issues.