Key Meetings and Discussions

During his visit, Mr.Rousopoulos engaged in high-level discussions with key latvian officials, including Saeima Speaker Daiga Mieriņš and Deputy Speaker Zanda Kalniņš-Lukaševics, who also serves as the head of the Assembly Monitoring Committee and the Head of the Latvian Delegation.

threats to Democracy Highlighted

The assembly addressed pressing concerns about the integrity of democratic processes in the face of modern threats. Election security,manipulation of foreign forces with public opinion,division of societies-these are present threats in Europe, officials stated. The meeting occurred at a crucial time, as democratic companies are subject to serious tests. The committee’s role is seen as an essential tool to openly analyze the situation and take steps to prevent the risks of the risk.

Extensive Participation and Agenda

More than 30 European parliamentarians participated in the Riga events, including Claire Bazy Malaurie, President of the Venice Commission, a Council of Europe advisory body on constitutional matters. The committee’s agenda included evaluating the political and human rights situations in several countries:

• Georgia
• Hungary
• Turkey
• Moldova
• Serbia
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Albania

Parliamentarians also addressed the need to strengthen action mechanisms to counter democratic backsliding and potential conflicts, given the crisis in the democracy in several countries and potential threats.

Insights from Latvian Officials

European parliamentarians heard from Irena Kucina, Chairman of the Constitutional Court, and Lauma Paegļkalns, Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Justice. This segment of the Monitoring Committee meeting was open to the public.

Civil Society’s Role in Crisis

On may 15, a public international seminar, “Civil Society’s Stability and readiness in Crisis,” was led by Ms.Kalniņa-Lukaševica at the Riga City Council. The seminar aimed to analyze the role of civil society during crises and opportunities for cooperation with state institutions.

Experts from Latvia, Ukraine, and Moldova participated in the seminar. Speakers included:

• Claire Bazy Malaurie, Chairman of the Council of Europe Venice Commission
• Inese Vaivare, Director of the Latvian Platform for Progress Cooperation
• Olena Suslova, founder of the ukrainian Women’s Information and Consulting Center and human rights activist
• Iulian Groza, Executive Director of the Moldovan Institute for European Policy and Reforms

These experts shared experiences on the public’s ability to work in extraordinary circumstances.

Additional Engagements

President Rousopoulos also met with former Latvian President Valdis Zatlers and Riga Mayor Vilnis Kirsis. He delivered a lecture for master’s students at the University of Latvia, Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences.

Monitoring Committee’s Mandate

The Monitoring Committee of the Assembly is responsible for verifying member states’ compliance with obligations under the Statute of the Council of europe, the European Convention on Human Rights, and other Council conventions. The committee monitors the fulfillment of the obligations undertaken by the authorities of the Member States by joining the Council of Europe.