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On 20 March 2025, President of the Baltic Assembly Jānis Vucāns participated in the European Conference of the Presidents of Parliament in Strasbourg, France. He addressed parliamentarians and asserted that safeguarding democracy and ensuring security in Europe is a shared responsibility.
Jānis Vucāns stated that democratic principles must be defended at all costs: “Democracy and its safeguarding are the values that lie at the heart of the identity of our Baltic nations. Based on our dramatic history in the 20th century, we know that democracy is worth defending because we have seen what happens when it is taken away. We understand, perhaps, better than most the importance of Ukraine’s fight for sovereignty and democracy. As a result, the Baltic Assembly has remained strong in its support for Ukraine against Russia’s brutal aggression. This war is a fundamental threat to the democratic principles we support. The Baltic States all agree that there is a need to bring a just, comprehensive and lasting peace for Ukraine that is rooted in the principles of international law. Ukraine must be a sovereign, independent country that has both - preserved its territorial integrity and has the freedom to choose the alliances it joins.”
In his speech, the president outlined key actions to safeguard democracy. Firstly, there is a need to strengthen European defence capabilities. Secondly, the price of aggression for Russia must be raised by hindering its energy exports and reallocating frozen assets to support Ukraine. Thirdly, relations with like-minded allies must be strengthened to deter authoritarian influence. Lastly, institutions and societies must be made resilient by investing in media literacy and protecting digital infrastructure.
During the conference Presidents of Parliament from the 46 member states of the Council of Europe as well as many neighbouring and observer countries and other partner parliamentary assemblies discussed such topics as “safeguarding democracy” “guaranteeing freedom of expression in times of polarization and uncertainty” and “violence against politicians”.
The first European Conference of Presidents of Parliament was held in 1975. It takes place every two years, hosted alternately in Strasbourg and in the capital of a Council of Europe member state.
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Photos
© Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
© Saeima (author: Juris Vīgulis)
