Leyen calls for reducing tensions while Liepāja municipality is still searching for a place to put that new traffic circle

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen yesterday announced that it is extremely important to reduce tensions in the Middle East, as the situation is unstable. Here in Liepāja, of course, we just smile - we don't need to travel all the way to Iran for an unstable situation, it's enough to walk to Grobiņas Street, where road repairs have been going on for the third month without a clear end forecast.

Leyen condemned irresponsible attacks against sovereign territories, which even affected a British base in Cyprus. "This is unacceptable," comments local pensioner Jānis, "but did you see what's happening with our Central Market roof? Also unacceptable, but for some reason nobody's calling an EU crisis meeting."

Most attention was drawn to Leyen's announcement about "new hope for Iran's oppressed inhabitants." Here in Liepāja we can be proud - our inhabitants have never been oppressed, because they can always vent on Pērkones Street, where there are the best cafes and where you can say everything you think about anything. And if that's not enough, you can always go to a concert at "Fontaine Palace" or simply stand by Lake Liepāja and tell your reflection everything that hurts your heart.

Leyen emphasized the need for a "credible transition," but we in Liepāja have been waiting for years for a credible transition from winter to spring, so we have no problems with patience. Moreover, if Brussels needs consultations on conflict resolution, they can turn to our municipality - we've been successfully resolving the conflict between tram drivers and all other traffic for years.