Evika Siliņa Elected Head of Saeima European Affairs Committee

On Wednesday, June 17, members of the Saeima European Affairs Committee elected former Prime Minister Evika Siliņa as its new chair. She succeeds Edmunds Cepurītis, who has been removed from the position. In her address to the committee, Siliņa stated that she will continue the work already begun and actively help Latvia defend its national interests. She emphasized that her experience as prime minister was largely tied to European Union (EU) matters, including the EU's multiannual budget, peace talks regarding Ukraine, Eastern border security, and keeping migration issues on the EU agenda. She also highlighted the importance of Ukraine's and Moldova's European integration. Uģis Rotbergs will remain as deputy chair, and Ramona Petraviča will continue as secretary. The committee's primary role is to approve Latvia's national positions on issues discussed at EU Council of Ministers meetings. The responsible minister must present the government's stance to the committee on all significant legislative and strategic decisions. Only after the committee endorses the position does the minister receive a parliamentary mandate to represent Latvia at the EU Council of Ministers.