Energy, EU – Baltic States, Latvia, Legislation, Transport

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Speaking on behalf of the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Zanda Kalnina-Lukasevica praised the cooperation of South Eastern European countries. She indicated that only by joint efforts can regions effectively tackle acute present-day challenges, and foster good governance, civil society, strengthening the rule of law, and combat of terrorism, amongst others.

Zanda Kalnina-Lukasevica also noted that successful implementation of regional infrastructure and social projects, for instance, the Adriatic-Ionian motorway project, which can facilitate integration of the South Eastern European countries with the EU, bring additional political and economic stability and promote the rule of law.

The Parliamentary State Secretary also emphasised that regional cooperation matters not only for the South Eastern Europe, but also for the Baltic and Nordic countries, especially in the energy sector. It is only by common agreement that the Baltic states can achieve energy independence, which also has meaning for security. Our regions will find it useful to share experience on these matters, said Zanda Kalnina-Lukasevica.

During her visit, Zanda Kalnina-Lukasevica also met with the Foreign Minister of Albania, Ditmir Bushati, and discussed the bilateral cooperation between Latvia and Albania and the process of Albania’s integration with the EU.

The SEECP (South Eastern European Cooperation Process) is a regional cooperation forum aimed at ensuring peace, stability and security, as well as promoting economic, political and social development in all the countries of the region. The SCEEP was established in 1996, and has 13 participating states: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo, Macedonia [the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia], Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, and Turkey. Albania currently has the chairmanship of SEECP.

Albania has been an EU candidate country since 2014.