Egils Levits
Valsts prezidents: KNAB darbībai ir jābūt mērķtiecīgai, uz analīzi balstītai un iedarbīgai
President of Latvia Egils Levits met with the Head of CPCB Jēkabs Straume to discuss the role of preventing and combating corruption in the country. According to Jēkabs Straume, Egils Levits is the first President to become acquainted with the functioning of the CPCB in person, which confirmed that strengthening the rule of law was essential for the development of the country.

During the meeting, the Head of the CPCB informed the President of Latvia about the operation of the CPCB, the problems identified, the priorities set, and the measures planned to improve and make prevention and combating corruption in Latvia more efficient. According to the President of Latvia, the functioning of the CPCB should be purposeful, analytical, and efficient.

The President of Latvia agreed with the Head of the KNAB that one of the Bureau's priorities was further strengthening of the analytical capacity of the institution enabling to detect and investigate the most complicated schemes of corruption, money laundering, and other financial crimes. Financial investigation is an area where more attention should be paid.

At the same time, during the conversation about remuneration system for those working in the sector, Egils Levits stated that a single remuneration system for public administration was needed in the country so as not to create unhealthy competition when authorities were competing with each other and that one could start changing already today.

Head of CPCB Jēkabs Straume emphasises, “The future of Latvia is in the hands of the public, and we can achieve the result and win in the fight against corruption only by joint efforts. I urge everyone, just as the President of Latvia does, both to do one’s duties in good faith with one’s untiring energy and hard-working nature and to stand up for and uphold the rule of law, democratic values, ​​and the interests of the entire state and the society selflessly. At the same time, given that corruption is also linked to other offenses and crimes such as tax evasion, cartel formation, etc., I reiterate my call to everyone to report to the authorities about such observations. I extend my gratitude to Mr Levits for the opportunity to discuss current issues related to the operation of the CPCB, as well as for his support in combating corruption.”