On 24 October, President Edgars Rinkēvičs met with the President of the Constitutional Court, Irēna Kucina, at the Riga Castle. The parties discussed current issues related to the work of the Court, emphasising its role in maintaining the balance among the branches of state authority.
“The constitutional control carried out by the Constitutional Court ensures that state authority in Latvia is exercised in accordance with the principles of a democratic state governed by the rule of law, and that a fair balance is maintained between the interests of the state and the individual. This strengthens the security of our country's democracy, which is an integral part of national security,” said President Rinkēvičs.
The President of Latvia also noted that on 23 October this year, the law “On the Protocol No.16 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms” was promulgated. Once the Protocol No.16 enters into force for Latvia, the Constitutional Court will be able to request the European Court of Human Rights to provide advisory opinion on significant questions concerning the interpretation or application of the rights and freedoms set out in the Convention or its Protocols. Both parties agreed that the ratification of the Protocol No.16 will further strengthen dialogue between the Latvian judiciary and the European Court of Human Rights on matters relating to the protection of fundamental rights in Europe.
President Rinkēvičs and the President of the Constitutional Court also discussed the Court’s international cooperation, including its support for Ukraine in strengthening the rule of law.
