Baltic States – CIS, EU – Baltic States, Forum, Latvia, Legislation

Photo: flickr.com

The conference was opened by Benedetto Della Vedova, Deputy Foreign Minister of Italy, who pointed out that the implementation of the ENP is essential for ensuring political stability in the medium and long term in the EU’s Eastern neighbourhood. Implementation of the ENP requires a balanced approach to both the southern and eastern dimensions.

The Latvian Foreign Ministry’s State Secretary, Andrejs Pildegovics, spoke at the panel addressing the Eastern Partnership issues and noted that the aim of the Riga Eastern Partnership Summit is to confirm the EU’s engagement and commitment to promote stability and peace in the Eastern Partnership countries. State Secretary emphasised that the Eastern Partnership is not a confrontational policy, its objective being the development of cooperation tailor-made to suit the interests and needs of each Eastern Partnership country and aimed at strengthening institutions in the partner countries, ensuring a broader involvement of the civil society and forging business contacts. Andrejs Pildegovics indicated that the Eastern Partnership Summit in Riga will provide a strong signal of European unity.

The ENP is one of EU foreign policy priorities, which has acquired special significance during the Latvian Presidency, with the ENP strategic review under way.

The Ambassador of Latvia to Egypt, Iveta Sulca, speaking on the panel devoted to the EU’s southern neighbours, pointed out that the political dialogue with the EU’s southern neighbourhood is a cornerstone to ensure pursuit of this policy promoting security and stability in the Mediterranean.

Toward the conclusion of the conference, Andrejs Pildegovics and Michele Valensise, Secretary General of the Italian Ministry for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, pointed to the need for EU unity and a strategic approach to revising the ENP and shaping it to meet the interests of partner countries. Michele Valensise emphasised that the viability of the policy depends on public involvement and participation.

Taking part in the conference were renowned researchers and neighbourhood policy experts: Laure Delcour, Kakha Gogolashvili, Arkady Moshes, Eduard Soler, Daniel Levy, and Kristina Kausch.

The speakers also included Giuseppe Buccino Grimaldi, Director General for European Union at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, and former Ambassador to Libya, who accented that stability in the EU’s Southern neighbourhood is closely related to Europe’s security.

The conference, occurring during the Latvian Presidency of the EU Council, was organised in association with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy and the Italian International Affairs Institute (Istituto Affari Internazionali“ IAI).

The event brought together more than 150 participants, including Ambassadors of EU Member States and neighbourhood policy partner countries to Italy, who commended the Latvian Presidency of the EU Council for its contribution in shaping the ENP and supported the need for joint action on the way forward with the ENP.