[Ex-Mayor of Ventspils] Aivars Lembergs remains under international sanctions. He is the only Latvian citizen who is under sanctions in accordance with Magnitsky Act, and I hope this will serve as a powerful symbol of everything Latvia has accomplished in the fight against corruption, said Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Latvia Christopher Robinson in his interview to TVNET portal.
“It would be a shame if Latvia went back to the old days, when oligarchs dominated the economy and tried to keep Latvia in service to Moscow, hindering reforms, for example, in the energy sector, even though they are extremely necessary to strengthen Latvia’s national security and competitiveness. Therefore, he [Aivars Lembergs] was subject to sanctions. He will remain subject to sanctions,” Christopher Robinson said in his interview to TVNET.
The US ambassador admitted in his interview to the portal that in the year he has spend in this country everything Latvia has accomplished has left a large impression on him. “These are amazing achievements. I first stayed in Latvia in 2001, and since then Latvia has made tremendous progress, made great strides in the field of economy and security, and has become a leader in many important transatlantic policy discussions. It would be a pity if it [Latvia] relaxed in one of these areas and went back to how things were in the past. I do not think it is in the interests of Latvia. The US, as a friend, ally and partner of Latvia, would urge not to go back. I think our Magnitsky sanctions against Lembergs speak for themselves,” Christopher Robinson stressed in his interview to TVNET.
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Mentioning sanctioned Lembergs, US ambassador urges Latvia to not go back
