Good evening, dear people of Latvia,
On New Year’s Eve we open the door to our future. So, what awaits us? I am addressing you from one of the many places in Latvia in which we can take pride – Riga Technical University, where our students, scientists and teaching staff work hand in hand with Latvia’s innovative businesses. A curiosity centre has also been opened here, designed to promote interest in physics, chemistry and technology among the children of Latvia. It also reminds us, parents, about the importance of nurturing our children’s education and talent every day.
In a prospering state we will be able to best safeguard that which is most important – our Latvian language and culture. For a successful future, let us develop the potential of our people. And the keyword for that is education. Only science and learning will allow us to fully compete at the European Union and global level.
The future of our country starts with our children. In discussions on teachers’ salaries and location of schools, the most important element – our children – is sometimes lost. School is an instrument for children to obtain a good education and skills, which they can apply in shaping their future. Investment in our children is the best kind of investment.
People of Latvia – tonight let us all also pay our respects to the heroes of Ukraine. The people of Ukraine are fighting for us too.
Latvia is free, standing firmly with both feet in the West. We have strong allies. Next year will mark the 20th anniversary of our accession to the European Union and NATO. Not everyone has been able to achieve this.
During the week of national festivities, I met with the young men drafted into the national defence service at the Ādaži Military Base – all of them courageous, self-confident, carrying Latvia in their heart and their deeds. This gave me a new energy boost and strengthened my faith in the power of our nation even more.
Therefore, do not believe the pessimists and deliberate panic-mongers. I, myself, am a realist, and that is precisely how I lead the government of Latvia. If we are in step with or even ahead of our allies in defence and security issues, then there is a fully justified expectation that we should move forward at an equal pace on other matters.
It is understandable that we want to compare ourselves with countries with more developed economies, higher salaries and a more inclusive society. I also wish to set higher goals for myself and for Latvia. This entails growth felt by everyone, and a respectful attitude towards all. There are no minor problems.
Past mistakes in state administration have, over the years, fostered the belief that it may be better not to do anything, lest another mistake be made. A perfect process, but no result. I cannot allow this to continue. I would like to establish clear government oversight of major economic and security projects impacting national development. This is necessary for improving Latvia’s competitiveness.
The government just marked its first 100 days in office. During this time, we have resolved specific issues, which some politicians had used for populist purposes. We adopted the partnership regulation, because every family in Latvia is valuable. We also ratified the Convention on preventing and combating violence against women. Persistent efforts by state authorities are still needed to ensure that everyone feels safe and secure within their own home.
We have started reducing the administrative burden on businesses. The ideas of Latvia’s creative and enterprising people should not disappear in a labyrinth of administrative obstacles or be buried under stacks of paperwork. My commitment is clear – where the state has gone too far with requirements and control, we will loosen these reins.
Dear citizens, the people of Latvia are gifted, talented and tenacious. Let us not be afraid to take bold steps forward, let us be courageous!
I also wish you, in the daily bustle of life, let us remember what is most important – kindness, humanity, care for your loved ones. Let us cheer up our colleagues with a kind word or a ‘thank you’. Let us call our old classmates, to ask how they are doing. Let us give a helping hand to those around us, let us appreciate the joy from making someone else happy or giving them our undivided attention.
Let us remember to take pride in our own success stories and those of our compatriots.
Trust one another more and love one another more.
I wish you a happy New Year!
