30 years ago, two million people across Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania joined hands in a human chain spanning 675.5 kilometres in a demonstration to draw attention to their desire for independence from the Soviet Union. When the Latvian Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš joins the Stockholm Free World Forum, it is 29 years since Latvia renewed its independence and started its successful integration into the EU and NATO.
At the same time, internal fragmentation and external pressures are threatening Europe’s future. Since the economic crisis broke out in 2008 there has been a downturn in European unity with growing populism, Brexit, and the migration crisis. Moreover, Russian money laundering through several European banks, including the Latvian bank ABLV and the Swedish bank Swedbank, have come to the fore. Money laundering is threatening European security while undermining its rule of law. Russian economic influence is a key method of sowing discord in Europe and hindering a strong and united European response.
In a time with challenges of aging populations, digital revolution, climate change as well as China’s and Russia’s power ambitions, a common way forward is crucial for the European community in order to turn these problems into possibilities.
The Stockholm Free World Forum are delighted to invite you to a seminar on June 27th with the Latvian Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš, where he will give a speech on financial reform, migration and the great power competition of China and Russia. The seminar will begin with an opening address by Gunnar Hökmark, president of Stockholm Free World Forum, and will be followed by a keynote speech by Prime Minister Kariņš.
TIME: Thursday, June 27th. 17.00 – 18.00.
LOCATION: Venue will be announced in confirmation email.
REGISTRATION: If you wish to attend, please email viktor@frivarld.se. Note that this only will be a notice of interest, and that attendance will require a final confirmation.
Krišjānis Kariņš is the Prime Minister of Latvia. He is a linguist, businessman, and politician, and has previously served as Member of the European Parliament (2009 — 2019), where he served as a rapporteur on energy policy and anti-money laundering, and Minister for Economics (2004 — 2006). Kariņš holds a Ph.D in linguistics from the University of Pennsylvania.