Straujuma marks year at the top with Davos debut

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Prime Minister Laimdota Straujuma marked a year in office Thursday saying her time in charge had resulted in a reduction of inequality and the discovery of new export markets following the sanctions war that broke out last year between the European Union and Russia. 

In a statement Straujuma said she had worked "honestly and conscientiously" during the twelve months, which included two separate coalition governments, albeit featuring identical parties.

"The key challenges during this time have been ensuring national security, preparing for the Latvian Presidency of the EU and its launch in January this year, alongside considerable economic and social advances," she said.

"I have always worked on the principle of good faith... and striven for the government to act as a team," she said, admitting that while the Ukraine crisis and relations with Russia had been testing, she had faith in the abilities of her colleagues.

Her governments had "done important things" to reduce social and income inequality such as increasing the minimum wage and changing the benefits system, she claimed.

She had also "Implemented a series of measures to support businesses and their reorientation to new export markets after the introduction of the Russian embargo on agricultural products, raw materials and foodstuffs," she said.

Straujuma celebated her anniversary in the exclusive Swiss ski resort of Davos where she is attending the World Economic Forum.

A list of facts and figures released by the PM's office reveals that the longest of her 71 cabinet meetings so far lasted 7 hours and 15 minutes, that she has undertaken 26 foreign visits and received 1,968 letters from members of the public.

Straujuma came to power on January 22, 2014 following the resignation in November 2013 of her predecessor Valdis Dombrovskis and retained her position after October parliamentary elections.

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