Economics, EU – Baltic States, Latvia, Legislation, Markets and Companies

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The topics discussed were the priorities for the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, and Latvia's bilateral cooperation with Canada and the EU's Eastern Partnership countries.

Latvian diplomats and Canadian MPs agreed that under current geopolitical circumstances, it is of vital importance to strengthen the transatlantic links and demonstrate unity amongst Euro-Atlantic partners. Thus the conclusion of negotiations on the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement is a major contribution to deepening economic cooperation and people-to-people contacts.

Inga Skujiņa provided a detailed outline of preparations and priorities for the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the EU. Einars Semanis thanked Canada for its support in strengthening the security of NATO's Eastern European allies during Russia's aggression against Ukraine. Einars Semanis also highlighted the intensification of bilateral cooperation and political dialogue over the recent years, as exemplified by the visit of the Foreign Minister of Canada, John Baird, to Latvia this April, and the visit of the President of Latvia, Andris Bērziņš, to Canada in September 2013.

Members of the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association, David Tilson, Grant Mitchell, Michel Rivard, Scott Simms, Don Davies and Corneliu Chisu are on a working visit to Riga from 17 to 21 November. Canadian MPs met with members of the Saeima and MEPs Inese Vaidere and Roberts Zīle, as well as visiting the NATO Centre of Excellence for Strategic Communication. The delegation also took part in the flower laying ceremony at the Freedom Monument in honour of the 96th anniversary of proclamation of the Republic of Latvia.

The Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association of the Canadian Parliament was established in 1980. The aim of this Association is to provide a structured forum for the exchange of information and ideas between Canadian parliamentarians and parliamentarians from the European Parliament, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the Western European Union Assembly, similar European parliamentary organizations such as the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE PA), the Conference of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region, and individual parliaments of all countries of Europe. The Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association and the European Parliament exchange visits on an annual basis.