The Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Markéta Pekarová Adamová, started her working trip around the Baltics with a visit to Lithuania. There, she discussed joint security issues with Parliament Speaker Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė and Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis. She also visited a military training area, where Czech troops operate as part of NATO’s eastern wing.
“Our countries share not only deep historical roots but above all common liberal-democratic values, pro-Western orientation, experience with oppression, loss of freedom, and successful efforts to regain it. The most important thing, however, is our common ability and willingness to act actively on the basis of these values and implement them in practice,” said the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Markéta Pekarová Adamová, during the meeting.
The work program also included meetings with the Prime Minister of Lithuania Ingrida Šimonytė and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Gabrielius Landsbergis. “It is our governments that are among those that have been intensively trying for a long time to help the defending Ukraine with weapons, humanitarian aid and persuasion of other partners. I am also grateful that Lithuania supports our initiative to acquire and deliver much-needed ammunition to Ukrainian defenders from third countries,” added Speaker of the House of Representatives Markéta Pekarová Adamová.
The parliamentary delegation, which also includes the chairman of the European Affairs Committee Ondřej Benešík, then continued with a visit to the military training area, where Czech armed forces are currently serving as part of the coordinated activities of the strengthened forward presence of the eastern wing of the North Atlantic Alliance.
“Our military presence in the Baltics plays a key strategic role in deterring Russia’s westward expansion. By working together, we are creating a stronger, more resilient and safer entire Alliance. I am extremely happy that I was able to personally thank our soldiers for their commitment today,” added the chairwoman Markéta Pekarová Adamová in conclusion.
The parliamentary delegation subsequently moved from Lithuania to Riga, where they will meet with leading representatives of the Latvian legislature and government.
The Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, Markéta Pekarová Adamová, continued her journey through the Baltic countries with a visit to Latvia. In the local parliament, she first discussed with its president Daiga Mieriņa.
“Our Latvian allies have currently decided to contribute approximately 248 million crowns to the Czech ammunition initiative for Ukraine. It is also important that Riga has taken over the imaginary organizing baton from Prague and will host the next edition of the Parliamentary Summit of the Crimean Platform this fall,” said the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Markéta Pekarová Adamová, after the meeting.
As part of the work program, the parliamentary delegation led by the Speaker also met with Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa. “Czech-Latvian cooperation is expanding and deepening not only in the field of joint defense and security, but also in the economic sector. This is clearly demonstrated by the volume of mutual trade, which has been growing for a long time thanks to the successful penetration of Czech companies into Latvian markets,” added the Speaker of the Chamber of Commerce, Markéta Pekarová Adamová. Finally, she also visited the Czech soldiers who serve in the multinational NATO battle group at the base in Ādaž, where they specialize in the most modern methods of cyber operations and electronic warfare.
“At all work meetings here, I heard only words of praise and recognition for the work of our soldiers. I was therefore happy to be able to personally thank them for their service and commitment. I also wished them well in what they do for the Alliance. If they do well, all of us will do well as a result,” added chairwoman Markéta Pekarová Adamová.
The delegation then traveled to Tallinn. There, its members will have meetings with leading representatives of the Estonian parliament and a meeting with Prime Minister Kaja Kallas. At the end, the president will speak at the prestigious Lennart Meri International Security Conference.