News / Daudze stresses importance of common goals and unity of people

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Daudze stresses importance of common goals and unity of people

18.11.2008

RIGA, Nov 18 (LETA) - The nation has to be united for reaching the goal of a prosperous state of Latvia, as Saeima Chairman Gundars Daudze (Union of Greens and Farmers) said during a formal Saeima session that was held in the Latvian National Theater today on the occasion of the 90th Proclamation of Independence Anniversary.

"Both then and now, people should unite for a common cause. There must be a goal and motivation for jointly tackling problems, jointly finding ways for further development and making Latvia a flourishing country. The lack of a clear goal causes uncertainty and undermines people's confidence in the development of the country," said Daudze.

"We have to formulate tasks and to find ways to attain our key goal - a flourishing state of Latvia," Daudze stressed. It is a task for not only Saeima and the government but for the entire nation.

If people unite, not erect barricades between themselves, then the goal of a prosperous Latvia will be feasible. "Yes, I am aware that the government and Saeima will have to pass difficult, even unpopular decisions, but it has to be done to resume both economic and social progress in Latvia," added Daudze.

Commenting on the difficult economic situation in Latvia, Daudze stressed that people must understand that Latvia is part of the world, and it is currently affected by exactly the same economic processes as are other countries.

"This is why we have to understand that there are things that Saeima and the government can, and must, do. Yet there also are issues that can be solved only on a global scale - in cooperation with other countries, cooperation with our partners in the European Union, cooperation with all our neighbor countries, so we can jointly overcome the economic and social challenges," said Daudze.

Daudze said that officials are often reproached with the processes that are beyond their control. "We cannot demand the government take responsibility for the financial crisis and the growing inflation in Europe and elsewhere in the world. We cannot hold the government responsible for the energy prices that are increasing in Riga as well as in Paris and Rome. We cannot influence food price fluctuations on global markets, which also affect our producers."

Daudze said that the government can be held responsible for improving the laws on business development and welfare, for creating mechanisms that would motivate the people in Latvia to participate in the economic process, social activity and national development.

"We can, and we must, ask of everyone, each member of the society: have you, before you talk about crisis and insufficient social guarantees, honored all your obligations to the state - honestly paid all taxes, so the state could increase salaries" for teachers, health care workers, police officers, firefighters, judges and others, said Daudze, emphasizing every individual's responsibility to the state.

Daudze said, "We will have to work hard, but I have no doubt that we are ready for this."

Much has been achieved since the restoration of independence eighteen years ago. Today, Latvia is an equal member of the European family of nations, it has been given security and independence guarantees, Latvia has restored, "de facto" and "de iure", its place in Europe, said Daudze.

Ex-Presidents Vaira Vike-Freiberga and Guntis Ulmanis, ex-Prime Ministers Andris Skele (People's Party, TP), Valdis Birkavs, Maris Gailis, Indulis Emsis, Andris Berzins (Latvia's First Party/Latvia's Way), Aigars Kalvitis (TP), former Saeima Chairpersons Ingrida Udre (Union of Greens and Farmers) and Alfreds Cepanis attended the Saeima session at the National Theater.

Also participated in the session the European Parliament members Georgs Andrejevs and Rihards Piks (TP), Riga Mayor Janis Birks (For Fatherland And Freedom/LNNK), members of the Riga City Council, the Supreme Council members who voted for the restoration of the independence of Latvia, including former Constitutional Court Chairman Aivars Endzins and Ventspils Mayor Aivars Lembergs.

Saeima members Anna Seile (Civic Union, PS), Sandra Kalniete (PS) and Inguna Ribena (New Era) came to the event donned in national costume, LETA observed.

Representatives of the diplomatic corps, Latvian State Television Director General Edgars Kots, Latvian State Radio Director General Aigars Semevics and other mass media representatives also attended the formal Saeima session.

For the occasion, the stage of the National Theater was decorated with the Latvian flag and Latvian coat of arms.

This is the first time since the restoration of independence that a Saeima session takes place outside the Saeima building.

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