Energy, EU – Baltic States, Latvia, Legislation

Vella made the statement before the informal meeting of the EU environment and energy ministers in Riga today.

Vella said that there are member states in the European Union who are less active in implementing objectives, which is why this requires attention.

Shortly before meeting with Vella, Minister of Environmental Protection and Regional Development Kaspars Gerhards (VL-TB/LKNNK) told the media that today's discussion will focus on two main issues – preservation of biological diversity, and climate change.

Both officials said they hope to hear proposals on how to preserve biological diversity during the period of economic growth. "Even though they are separate issues, biological diversity and economic growth must exist in close association, as they depend on each other," said Vella.

As reported, the informal meeting of the EU environment and energy ministers is held in Riga today in order to discuss the European Union's environmental policy and climate and energy policy objectives in an informal atmosphere.

Ministerial discussions on biodiversity issues are planned, also assessment of the implementation of the EU biodiversity strategy, providing an input into the mid-term evaluation of the strategy. There are also plans to discuss the common EU position on a comprehensive global agreement to combat climate change after 2020, which is expected to be approved at the end of 2015 in Paris during the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.