EU – Baltic States, Financial Services, Latvia, Legislation, Markets and Companies

“Latvia's Presidency which listened to all opinions was able to match them in order to ensure purposeful progress towards the result,” the Prime Minister commented on the joint work during the press conference. “I am very proud of our professionals in Latvia who made this come true,” the Prime Minister noted.

Laimdota Straujuma expressed her special acknowledgement to Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament, all political groups which contributed to the issues brought up by the Presidency, and Jean-Claude Juncker for his cooperation.

The Latvian Prime Minister also acknowledged the aims attained during the Presidency: “I am really delighted that together with the representatives elected by so different European social groups we have succeeded in adopting decisions on many important matters, including the Strategic Investment Fund, the common EU telecoms market, and the associated issue of roaming charges, the Emission Allowances Market, the directive on biofuels and indirect land-use change, the Package Travel Directive the Railway Package. I am also grateful for our joint efforts in ensuring macro-financial assistance to Ukraine in the amount of EUR 1.8 billion.”

Laimdota Straujuma also emphasized that together with the European Parliament and the Commission the Presidency addressed several issues which are essential for everyday life of the EU citizens, including abolition of roaming surcharges on the last day of the Presidency thus becoming its epitome.

The Prime Minister acknowledged the contribution of the EP regarding the so-called Engaged Europe which was among the top three priorities of Latvia’s Presidency. “The Eastern Partnership was a focus of the Presidency and I wish our successors to further work on the issues of the Eastern Partnership by developing strategic relations at the EU level,” said the Prime Minister.