At Post-2015 Plenary, where current UN Millennium Goals are evaluated and where balanced and sustainable global development goals for a new period are set, Raimonds Vējonis highlighted significance of the rule of law and good governance: “If the judicial system does not operate properly, if the state administration is inefficient and non-transparent, and if the government fails to comply with human rights, it undermines the very basis of existence of a stable and secure society.” The President of Latvia noted that modern technologies and e-government offered a unique opportunity to strengthen confidence among policy makers and the society, because it allowed everyone to participate in decision-making more.
In his speech, the President of Latvia stressed importance of gender equality having a role for both facilitating social justice and economic growth, and he stressed the Latvian experience to that end. “In our country, women become government officials and reach the top positions in the business environment as our Constitution, the education system, and public opinion support that. When men and women have equal rights and opportunities, an entire society can function more wholesome,” said Raimonds Vējonis. He indicated that the new UN sustainable development goals enabled everyone to put an end to permanent discrimination and violence faced by women and girls in many countries of the world on a daily basis.
At the end of the day, the President of Latvia and the First Lady of Latvia attended the high-level reception in support of the implementation of the new Post-2015 Development Agenda hosted by the Kingdom of Sweden and held informal meetings with several heads of state.
On Friday, the President of Latvia also met with representatives of the Jewish organizations from the USA, who appreciated the work done pertaining to restitution of real estates of the Jewish community in Latvia and expressed appreciation that the Latvian parliament had supported restitution of five real estates expropriated during the occupation conceptually. Raimonds Vējonis noted a successful dialogue with the Jewish community both in Latvia and on international level. While discussing the challenges in the field of migration in Europe, the President of Latvia outlined the Latvian position as regards the issue of refugee acceptance, where a lack of detailed explanatory information and timely action plan raised uncertainty and fear in the public. The issue of escalating conflict in Syria, transatlantic partnership, and contribution of the United States as a strategic partner of Latvia in strengthening security of entire Baltic region were mentioned as well.
With the visit to the United States continuing, the President of Latvia will hold several bilateral meetings: with Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia Mr. Jusuf Kalla, the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, the Secretary General of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Mr. Ángel Gurría, and the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday. Raimonds Vējonis will also attend the high-level reception for the heads of state hosted by the Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel and attend 9/11 memorial in New York on Saturday as well.