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On 28 August 2025, the Parliamentary Secretary Artjoms Uršuļskis had a meeting with the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, Edmondo Cirielli, who had arrived in Latvia for a working visit. During the consultations, the officials discussed the provision of comprehensive support to Ukraine, security in the region, current developments in the European Union, and the situation in the Middle East.
The officials welcomed the close political dialogue between Latvia and Italy and an exchange of visits, as well as their active cooperation in the field of security and economy. The Parliamentary Secretary briefed the Deputy Minister on language reform in general education schools and a growing interest in learning the Italian language.
Artjoms Uršuļskis expressed his gratitude to Italy for its military presence in Latvia and an important contribution to security in the Baltic region. He underlined:
“Italian participation in the NATO Multinational Brigade in Latvia and the Baltic Air Policing mission is an excellent example of unity and solidarity among the Allies as well as a strong message to our society about NATO’s presence in the region.”
In an exchange of views on providing support to Ukraine, Artjoms Uršuļskis welcomed Italy’s engagement in the Ukrainian peace process.
The officials agreed on the need to further deepen economic cooperation, with a particular emphasis on an increase in trade and promotion of investments, as well as on the military sector.
In a discussion on the fight against illegal migration, the Parliamentary Secretary informed the Italian diplomat about hybrid threat posed by Russia and Belarus, thereby justifying the need to strengthen the eastern border of Latvia, which is also a shared border of NATO and the European Union.
The officials exchanged views on urgent matters on the international agenda, while expressing support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the need to address the humanitarian disaster in Gaza.
As part of his visit, Edmondo Cirielli also had a conversation with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže. The officials discussed security in the region, support to Ukraine, issues of current importance to the EU, with a particular emphasis on the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework and migration policy, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.