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

Edgars Rinkevics said he was convinced that the migration challenges exist on a global scale and countries cannot deal with them on their own. The Minister pointed to the work accomplished thus far in the EU. The EU has covered much ground – financial aid has been granted, summit meetings organised with the main countries of the origin and transit of migrants, decisions adopted on the relocation of asylum seekers inside the EU, as well as their resettlement from third countries to the EU, the Minister noted.

Foreign Minister Rinkevics emphasised that EU should make greater efforts to counter illegal migration. From Latvia’s perspective, future priorities for the EU action to tackle migration are the strengthening of the EU’s external borders including the establishment of a European Border and Coast Guard, control over asylum seekers providing for their return, the fight against organised crime, and implementation of the agreement between the EU and Turkey, the Latvian Foreign Minister noted.

The Foreign Minister also expressed hope that British nationals will make the right choice on 23 June and vote for the UK to remain part of the EU. The EU must not reduce its support for the Eastern partnership countries since this is also a matter related to the future of security for Europe as a whole.