Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament to visit Latvia

Created on 2014-11-28

Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament will visit Latvia on 3-4 December, 2014 to discuss the upcoming Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union with Latvian officials. The delegation will include the President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz, for whom this will be the first visit to Latvia.

M.Schulz says: "Latvia's first EU Presidency will be a great opportunity, and we are confident that Latvia will use it and take up this duty with the highest professionalism. The first half of the 2015 will be a special time as the EU legislative process will restart with full speed with new European Parliament and European Commission. At the same geopolitical situation remains difficult and Latvian Presidency will have to put its efforts to improve the situation."

During the visit, there will also be a joint meeting between the Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament and the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia. Also the delegation will meet the President of Latvia Andris Bērziņš and members of the Saeima.

The main topic to be discussed during the meeting of Prime Minister L.Straujuma and M.Schulz – the cooperation with the European Parliament within the framework of Latvia's Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The officials will also discuss the issues relating to the priority directions of activity of Latvia's Presidency: more competitive EU as a basis for growth, strengthening the information society and the role of the EU on a global scale.

After the meeting, the President of the European Parliament M.Schulz and Latvian Prime Minister L.Straujuma will hold a joint press conference.

Note to the editor: The following media opportunities are scheduled on Thursday, 4 December 2014:

11:45 – 12:15 Joint Press Conference with Martin Schulz and Laimdota Straujuma, Small Guild, Amatu 3/5 (participation in the Press Conference with prior registration only, please, register by contacting Anita Sukure at anita.sukure@mfa.gov.lv by 17:00 on December 3).

14:10 – 14:15 Photo/video opportunity, meeting between Martin Schulz and President Andris Bērziņš, Blackhead’s House. Rātslaukums 7

14:55 – 15:05 Photo/video opportunity, meeting with the members of Latvian Saeima, Jēkaba 11

More information about the Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/aboutparliament/en/00766d87cc/Political-bodies.html

Media contacts:
Kaspars Rūklis, Press Secretary
Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union
Phone: + 371 67016439, + 371 29405048
E-mail: kaspars.ruklis@mfa.gov.lv
Website: www.eu2015.lv