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Kalnina-Lukasevica: Latvia appreciates the contribution by social partners to the successful course of the Presidency in EU

BC, Riga, 02.04.2015.Print version
“Close cooperation with social partners is invaluable support for the implementation of initiatives important for each European,” pointed out Zanda Kalnina-Lukasevica, the Parliamentary State Secretary for EU Affairs at the Foreign Ministry, when speaking at yesterday’s meeting of the Employers’ Group of the European Economic and Social Affairs Committee (EESC), informed BC the Latvian MFA.

Photo: flickr.com

“As the Presidency, we highly appreciate the agreement between trade unions and employers on recommendations regarding the role of social dialogue adopted yesterday at the Social Partners’ Forum,” Zanda Kalnina-Lukasevica said. She mentioned that representatives from social partner organisations are invited to take part in the political debate together with Member State delegations on the strengthening of social dialogue at the informal meeting of EU Ministers for Employment to be held in Riga on 21-22 April. Zanda Kalnina-Lukasevica also confirmed that close cooperation will continue with the upcoming presidencies of Luxembourg and the Netherlands in order to reinforce the social dialogue.

 

Presenting what has been accomplished during the presidency, Zanda Kalnina-Lukasevica emphasised that the pragmatic approach by the Latvian Presidency made it possible, in record time, to achieve an agreement at the EU Council on one of the main initiatives for enhancing the competitiveness of the EU during the Latvian Presidency – the European Fund for Strategic Investments. The next step would be to begin negotiations with the European Parliament in order to achieve a political agreement and ensure that the Fund starts operations as soon as possible. Support from the Fund will make it possible to carry out a number of projects, mobilise investments in the real economy and improve access to funding in the long term. The Strategic Investment Fund will facilitate attraction ofat least 315 billion euros worth of investment to the EU economy in areas including infrastructure, research, innovation, education and training, health care, information and communication technologies, the energy sector, and support for small and medium-sized companies.

 

Reviewing what has been achieved during the three months of Latvia’s Presidency, Zanda Kalnina-Lukasevica also highlighted the work initiated on the creation of the Energy Union, which is of special importance in the current geopolitical situation in Europe. The Energy Union will be instrumental for strengthening the EU’s energy independence. The Latvian Presidency has also contributed significantly to the fight against terrorism: in response to terrorist attacks in Paris, the issue was immediately included in the agendas of several Council configurations.

 

Zanda Kalnina-Lukasevica also highlighted efforts towards strengthening EU strategic communication. The conclusions of both the Foreign Affairs Council in January and the European Council in March envisage concrete steps – to establish a special communications team and to prepare by the June European Council an action plan on strategic communication.

 

Parliamentary State Secretary also indicated that the three remaining presidency months are going to be intensive. One of the main tasks is the preparation of the Fourth Eastern Partnership Summit in Riga on 21-22 May. The Riga Summit  ought to reconfirm that the Eastern Partnership must remain high on the list of EU foreign policy priorities and outline a clear frame of reference reflecting the EU’s perspective of further deepening cooperation with the partner countries which have opted for closer integration with the EU.

 

The work is underway on preparations for the Digital Assembly on 17-18 June. This event presents an opportunity for highlighting Latvia’s achievement in the digital sector: the speed of the Internet, the extensive Wi-Fi coverage and the accessibility of public services online. The Assembly will also feature discussions on the strategy for the Digital Single Market and digital priorities during the Latvian Presidency – promoting trust in the digital single market, the development of e-governance and security online.

 

At the meeting of the Employers’ Group of the European Economic and Social Affairs Committee (EESC) on 1 April, Zanda Kalnina-Lukasevica, the Foreign Ministry’s Parliamentary State Secretary for EU Affairs, engaged in a discussion on what has been accomplished during the first three months of the Latvian Presidency.

 

The EESC is a representative of the civil society in the EU, which offers opinions on EU-related subjects and consultations for the European Parliament, the EU Council, and the European Commission in the decision-making process by providing opinions on the proposed EU legislation. The Employers’ Group brings together the representatives of more than 80 trade union organisations in EU Member States.






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