In December, one of the most valuable state-owned companies – the joint-stock company “Latvijas valsts meži” – saw a change in its council. This has sparked suspicions in society that state forests are gradually being prepared for privatisation. However, the new council chairman, Edmunds Beļskis, is confident that the company will not change its ethos and will maintain its priorities.

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There is no “sell off state forests” project – I would never sign up for such a thing. Throughout my career, my goal has always been to defend the interests of the shareholders. And in a state-owned company, we are all the shareholders. Therefore, defending the state's interests is the priority of my work.