On 24 May, Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš met with Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament to discuss further EU support for Ukraine, including the opening of the EU accession negotiations with Ukraine, and prosecution of Russia for war crimes committed in Ukraine. The Prime Minister also held a meeting with Manfred Weber, President of the European People’s Party (EPP) and EPP Members during the visit to the European Parliament.
During the meeting with R. Metsola, the Prime Minister emphasized the personal role of the President of the European Parliament in expressing strong support for Ukraine, pointing out that, despite the developments in Russia’s war against Ukraine, Europe must be ready to support Ukraine for as long as it will be necessary.
K. Kariņš stated that one of the essential means to support Ukraine is to help implement the reforms that will facilitate its rapprochement with the EU. According to the Prime Minister, it is desirable that the EU accession negotiations with Ukraine be opened by the end of this year.
During the meeting with the President of the European Parliament, the Prime Minister brought attention to need to hold Russia and its officials accountable for the war crimes committed in Ukraine. K. Kariņš also highlighted the continuing need to strengthen the sanctions against Russia, where one of the most important elements, at the moment, is the need to eradicate attempts at the EU level to circumvent the sanctions already introduced.
The Prime Minister also held a meeting with Manfred Weber, President of the European People’s Party (EPP) represented in the European Parliament, and EPP Members. K. Kariņš and EPP Members discussed the continuation of the support for Ukraine, the migration threat posed by the Lukashenka regime and the implementation of the European Green Deal.
The Prime Minister pointed out that Latvia supports the implementation of the European Green Deal. Its objectives should, however, be proportionate and achievable. Latvia believes that the Nature Restoration Law and the Regulation on the Sustainable Use of Plant Protection Products contain the national objectives that are neither proportionate nor balanced, and we will continue to oppose them.
