Silina stresses independence, freedom and Latvian language as Latvia's fundamental values

RIGA - The fundamental values of Latvia are an independent state, a free society and Latvian as the state language, prime minister-designate Evika Silina (New Unity) said Friday during a debate in parliament preceding a vote on her government. 

"Our people, or the political nation, is everyone who respects and honors the fundamental values of Latvia - an independent state, a free society and the Latvian language as the state language," said Silina.

The prime minister-designate said that the key to a successful and prosperous country is its people and the ability to accept one another "in all our diversity". 

Silina, one of the leaders of New Unity party, underlined that people are at the center of the government declaration signed earlier on Friday by the three coalition partners. 

"The government team will work to make Latvia's people - schoolchildren, teachers, entrepreneurs, patients, moms, dads, grandparents - feel that the state is working for their benefit and is not indifferent or serving its own process," the prime minister-designate promised. 

One of Silina's goals is to make people really feel that the quality of public services is improving, that Latvia is becoming more emphatic, humane and just.

"My work will focus on making sure that the entrepreneurs feel that they are not burdened with unnecessary red tape. That the students feel that they are getting an education that can compete with both local and foreign universities. That the persons who have experienced violence feel that the state is willing and able to protect them. That the patients see that the queues are getting shorter, that every senior sees and feels that they are becoming more socially protected. That every family feels that it is needed in Latvia," Silina said. 

In her speech, Silina also emphasized support for Ukraine and its defense against Russian aggression, incentivizing economic growth, finding a solution to the worrisome rise of energy tariffs and several other issues. 

As reported, earlier on Friday, the Silina-led coalition signed a cooperation agreement and a declaration of the new government.

The documents were signed by representatives of New Unity, the Union of Greens and Farmers, and the Progressives. The coalition agreement was signed by the three parties' leaders and the government declaration by the prime minister-designate and candidates for the ministerial posts.