Today 24 January, Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš underscores the western values-based foreign policy during the Saeima foreign policy debates.
“I would like to emphasize that the main priorities referred to in the report by the Minister for Foreign Affairs are also the priorities of our government. They are included in the Cabinet’s Declaration and will also be reflected in the government’s Action Plan. They will be based on the western course and geopolitical orientation. These priorities are based on values that we share with all our allies – democracy, rule of law, human rights. It is the values-based foreign policy.”
Addressing the members of the Saeima, the Prime Minister noted that in the annual report to the Saeima the Minister for Foreign Affairs has underscored three main uncertainties. These are: the follow-up report by the Committee of Experts on the Evaluation of Anti-Money Laundering Measures and the Financing of Terrorism (MONEYVAL) of the Council of Europe, Russia’s foreign policy and the processes in the European Union, including the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the EU, also known as the Brexit.
As to the restriction of the illicit financial flows, K. Kariņš underscored that the failure to implement the MONEYVAL recommendations in a timely manner is a threat to the economy and the society.
“In regard to Russia’s foreign policy, in the Minister’s report it is described as aggressive and provocative, to put it very diplomatically. We take this very seriously. We work closely with the NATO allies and provide all the necessary support for the presence of the allied forces in Latvia. We will continue to do so, because only when we help our ally, we can expect to receive help in return.”
As regards the processes in the European Union, K. Kariņš pointed out the course of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the EU, also known as the Brexit, the outcome of which is unpredictable.
“There are two things in our national interest: to maintain as good relations as possible with the United Kingdom and to protect and defend our nationals in the United Kingdom.”
“Yesterday, addressing you before the vote of confidence in my government at the Saeima, I already emphasized that the international waters are not peaceful. We will do our best to keep our country stable. Our foreign policy course will remain unchanged; we will closely work with our European Union partners not only regarding the issue of Brexit, but also other issues, including budgeting for 2021-2027. Our country will be stable, and the foreign waters will calm down,”
K. Kariņš said at the end of his speech to the Members of the Saeima.