What Rihards spoke about.

10

Sep

2025

EN Speech

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Implementation of EU-US trade deal and the prospect of wider EU trade agreements (debate)

Mr President, dear colleagues, I guess there is a confusion. We are not talking about the EU-US trade agreement. We are talking about a political deal. So there is a long way ahead to actually reach the trade deal. But trade in general is good and freer trade is even better. So this principle really has underpinned decades of the EU-US cooperation. And while this new arrangement is imperfect, a de…

9

Jul

2025

EN Speech

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EU-US trade negotiations (debate)

Mr President, dear colleagues, the ECR Group stands for strong transatlantic ties and maximum free trade with our closest ally, the United States. Yet what do we see? Endless reports from the Commission, but too little real diplomacy. Apart from Commissioner Šefčovič, leadership has been passive. Where are the presidents of the Commission, of the Council or of this House? Some say the doors are cl…

8

Jul

2025

EN Speech

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Preparation for the 2025 EU–China Summit - Tackling China's critical raw materials export restrictions

Madam President, in two weeks the EU lands in Beijing to mark 50 years of relations with China. It looks like a celebration; in truth it is a stress test. Trade still tops EUR 739 billion, yet our deficit is EUR 292 billion, and exports are falling. State-subsidised overcapacity floods our market while China’s stays selectively closed. As Commissioner Šefčovič fights in Washington to shield Europe…

18

Jun

2025

EN Speech

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Upcoming NATO summit on 24-26 June 2025 (debate)

Madam President, dear colleagues, at The Hague, NATO must face reality. Russia is not a 'challenge', it is an enemy, and we must continue to call it that. It does not act alone: Iran, North Korea and China stand behind it, forming an authoritarian axis and fuelling each other's aggression. This is not regional. This is systematic. Europe must stop hiding behind US guarantees, NATO's strength must …

17

Jun

2025

EN Speech

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Situation in the Middle East (joint debate)

Dear colleagues, as we debate, yet again Iran has launched another barrage of missiles towards Israel. And Iran's constitutional doctrine calls for Israel's destruction. This is not rhetoric. It's a state policy. Tehran arms Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and supplies and co-produces missiles and drones with Russia to aid its expansionist war on Ukraine. Its nuclear programme adds a new layer of e…

16

Jun

2025

EN Speech

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Signature of acts adopted in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure (Rule 81)

Madam President, I would like to make a point of order under Rule 202. The EU sanctioned Kremlin propaganda outlets like Russia Today and Sputnik, banning their broadcasts for spreading disinformation and justifying Russia's aggression. And yet, today, these same sanctioned outlets remain freely accessible inside this Parliament on the internal network, Wi‑Fi and visitor devices. After months of n…

8

May

2025

EN Speech

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80 years after the end of World War II - freedom, democracy and security as the heritage of Europe (debate)

Madam President, dear colleagues, for Western Europe World War Two ended in May 1945, but for millions in Central and Eastern Europe, Latvia included, the end of the tyranny meant the beginning of another. Soviet tanks replaced Nazi boots. Freedom was postponed for nearly five decades. Nazi crimes were prosecuted at Nuremberg, justice was served, and rightly so. But there was no Nuremberg for Comm…

7

May

2025

LV Speech

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EU support for a just, sustainable and comprehensive peace in Ukraine (debate)

Dear Chair, Dear colleagues, It is the fourth year since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The outcome of this war – Ukraine’s victory or loss – will determine the security of Europe, the West and the world as a whole over the coming decades. The defeat in Ukraine can mark the decline of the West. Victory can restore geopolitical credibility, legitimacy of norms and institutions. If we are …

6

May

2025

EN Speech

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A unified EU response to unjustified US trade measures and global trade opportunities for the EU (debate)

Mr President, dear colleagues, the US tariffs are harsh, but they remind us how critical it is to deepen, not weaken, our transatlantic bond. In a world of fast-moving competition, while we debate, others – especially authoritarian regimes – are moving fast to dominate emerging technologies and critical raw materials. This is the time to align. We need permanent EU trade representation not just in…

1

Apr

2025

EN Speech

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Safeguarding the access to democratic media, such as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (debate)

Mr President, cear colleagues, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has been a pillar of democratic resilience since the Cold War, reaching into dark corners where propaganda thrives and truth is a threat. Today, it still does in Russia, Belarus, Iran, but also in EU candidate countries and even within the Union itself, where independent media remain under pressure. Recent developments in Washington ex…

1

Apr

2025

EN Speech

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CFSP and CSDP (Article 36 TUE) (joint debate)

Madam President, dear colleagues, the EU's credibility as a geopolitical actor depends on three things: coherence, speed and resolve. First, we must strengthen the EU's External Action Service with the political weight, intelligence capabilities and coordination tools needed to act, not just react. Second, conditionality must not be optional. Every euro, every agreement – from trade to development…

11

Mar

2025

LV Speech

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White paper on the future of European defence (debate)

Dear Chair, European defence needs clear priorities and working mechanisms. European re-armament cannot be based solely on offering extended lending opportunities. There are Member States that have been raising their defence funding significantly above the minimum level for years, at the expense of national budgets. In addition to the 150 billion in loans, grant mechanisms should also be put in pl…

10

Mar

2025

EN Speech

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Establishing the Reform and Growth Facility for the Republic of Moldova (debate)

Madam President, dear colleagues, it is clear that the Reform and Growth Facility for Moldova is essential, especially now: with USAID withdrawing, a major gap has opened in strengthening Moldova's institutions, leaving it vulnerable to external threats. Russia will exploit this. As Moldova nears its parliamentary elections, the risk of foreign interference is high. Russian meddling is well-docume…

13

Feb

2025

EN Speech

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EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement (debate)

Madam President, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, trade agreements aren't just about tariffs and paperwork; they create real opportunities. For our SMEs this means access to a market of 260 million consumers. So far, all EU trade agreements have delivered benefits while maintaining high standards. It's a fact. This deal does the same: lowering tariffs, cutting red tape and ensuring fair competi…

11

Feb

2025

EN Speech

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Wider comprehensive EU-Middle East Strategy (debate)

Madam President, Madam Commissioner, the EU speaks of strategy in the Middle East, yet too often we watch from the sidelines. The Abraham Accords proved that Arab-Israeli cooperation is possible, yet we played little part or no part at all. While the US and Gulf states lead, we remain reactive and divided. First, we must strengthen bilateral ties and act as facilitators where needed. Arab states a…

21

Jan

2025

EN Speech

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Further deterioration of the political situation in Georgia (debate)

Mr President, dear colleagues, the situation in Georgia is deteriorating rapidly. The Georgian people want the European future, but their government responds with violence, repression and lies. The Georgian 'nightmare party' has abandoned all its commitments and any pretences, silencing opposition, harassing journalists and using brutal force against peaceful protesters. The regime makes a mockery…

21

Jan

2025

EN Speech

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Geopolitical and economic implications for the transatlantic relations under the new Trump administration (debate)

Mr President, the new Trump administration signals a shift in transatlantic relations. But let's be clear: neither Europe nor the US can do it alone and expect to retain global strength. If we want to remain really relevant, we must stand united. Europe needs to finally become – and I mean literally – a strong, loyal and trustworthy ally. We cannot afford internal divisions while our adversaries i…

17

Dec

2024

LV Speech

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Russia’s disinformation and historical falsification to justify its war of aggression against Ukraine (debate)

Dear Chair, Dear colleagues, Russia's efforts to rewrite history are nothing new. Moscow has been organising the ‘liberation’ fireworks of the Baltic capitals for years, denying occupation and advocating lies about our past. Now the fake narrative machine serves an even more cynical purpose of justifying the war of aggression against Ukraine. There are clear facts: Russia robs, terrorises and kill…

27

Nov

2024

EN Speech

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Critical infrastructure vulnerabilities and hybrid threats in the Baltic Sea (debate)

Madam President, dear colleagues, today the lifeblood of our civilisation lies in its infrastructure – facilitating communication, transport, commerce and security. Severing these lifelines, as we have seen with two undersea cables in the Baltic Sea, can have catastrophic consequences for our societies and economies. Once might have been an accident; twice demands a deliberate ignorance to call it…

26

Nov

2024

EN Speech

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Continued escalation in the Middle East: the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, UNRWA’s essential role in the region, the need to release all hostages and the recent ICC arrest warrants (debate)

Mr President, dear colleagues, the escalation in the Middle East calls for moral clarity and actionable pragmatism. Israel has every right to defend itself against terror and peace cannot be built while hostages remain captive. We demand their unconditional and immediate release. But let us address another obstacle to stability: UNRWA. This organisation – intended as temporary measure – has evolve…

26

Nov

2024

EN Speech

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Reinforcing EU’s unwavering support to Ukraine against Russia’s war of aggression and the increasing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia (debate)

Madam President, dear colleagues, in light of recent phone calls by the Western leaders to the Kremlin, let me be clear: any hesitation, any delay in supporting Ukraine is not diplomacy, it is Chamberlain's appeasement. The ghost of Chamberlain haunts Europe today, convincing some that the concessions to the aggressor will bring peace. Are we so naive, so timid, that we would abandon Ukraine and i…

23

Oct

2024

EN Speech

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Foreign interference and hybrid attacks: the need to strengthen EU resilience and internal security (debate)

Madam President, dear colleagues, Freedom House has warned that disinformation, globally, will be the greatest threat for freedom in the next five years and we are already seeing this unfold. Foreign actors Russia, China and Iran are weaponising information to destabilise the EU, erode trust and weaken our institutions. AI-driven disinformation, like deepfakes, spreads false content at an alarming…

23

Oct

2024

EN Question

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Managing migration in an effective and holistic way through fostering returns (debate)

I have a very simple question. We talk about returns. The definition of returns, according to the legal basis, is actually 'expulsion'. It's not about returning somebody who's wandering around Europe; we are returning those who are not eligible for international protection. And that is the question. So do you see the equal sign between returns and expulsion? Expulsion is a legal decision by law en…

22

Oct

2024

EN Question

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Establishing the Ukraine Loan Cooperation Mechanism and providing exceptional macro-financial assistance to Ukraine (debate)

Just a very simple question. So you said that the budget financing is something that is governments' and not people's. How is your country when your government approves the budget? Is the budget that you see only for governments and not for the citizens? Or did I get it wrong, what you said about Ukraine – that the money's not going to the Ukrainian citizens?…

22

Oct

2024

EN Speech

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Establishing the Ukraine Loan Cooperation Mechanism and providing exceptional macro-financial assistance to Ukraine (debate)

Mr President, dear colleagues, this is a crucial step. Yes, EUR 35 billion to help stabilise a war-torn economy is no small feat. But the goal of this mechanism is not in the plan itself; it is in the implementation. The aggressor must not only lose, but also pay. Using immobilised Russian assets as collateral is a bold statement – one that Russia should pay attention to. And now, with this mechan…