Riga, 17 April 2014

On 16 and 17 April the “Juncker for President” campaign came to Riga. Jean-Claude Juncker and Valdis Dombrovskis, former Prime Minister, participated in a panel discussion hosted by the University of Latvia and attended by students, NGO leaders, opinion-makers and incumbent Members of the European Parliament.

Later that day, Jean-Claude Juncker took part on a debate on the TV program Sastrēgumstunda with Member of the European Parliament Ivars Godmanis. During the debate, in which participants received questions from journalists and from the audience, Mr Juncker emphasized the need of strong economic sanctions against Russia regarding the Ukraine crisis, that also take into account the specific concerns of bordering countries like Latvia, making clear the “the alternative to sanctions is war.” The debate can be seen here.

Jean-Claude Juncker was received by Prime Minister Laimdota Straujuma. Former Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis and Mr Juncker visited the Freedom Monument in the centre of Riga, which pays tribute to soldiers fallen during the Latvian war of independence. Mr Juncker and Mr Dombrovskis placed a wreath at the monument.

Finally, Jean-Claude Juncker arrived to the party headquarters of Vienotība, where he held a meeting with Anvar Samost, candidate in Estonia for the European elections from the Pro Patria and Res Publica Union (IRL).

Pictures of the events of both days are available for download royalty-free on Jean-Claude Juncker’s Flickr account here.