EU – Baltic States, Financial Services, Latvia

Inna Steinbuka.

Such an offer would be a huge honor, Steinbuka said in an interview to the Latvian State Radio/LETA.

Steinbuka said that she understands the huge responsibilities that EU commissioners must undertake, and that persons appointed as commissioners must have much knowledge and experience.

Until Steinbuka is not offered to become a European commissioner candidate, she does not wish to discuss what she would theoretically do if appointed.

However, she emphasized her wide experience in economics.

Steinbuka has experience in macroeconomics, because she has worked in the Finance Ministry and the International Monetary Fund for several years. Furthermore, working for the Public Utilities Commission, she has come in contact with the electricity and telecommunications sectors, and has much knowledge in these areas. Steinbuka is also an economics professor, and in preparing lectures and participating in research projects, she has also much experience in these fields as well.

As Steinbuka admitted, she was told this past Friday that she is one of the European commissioner candidates, and that she received this news whilst on holiday in France.

Speaking about the economic situation in Latvia, Steinbuka said that Latvia must retain its consistency and cannot step back from its current course.

Latvia cannot involve itself in destructive discussions on the devaluation of the lat; according to Steinbuka, it would be a betrayal and almost a crime to speak of such things publicly.

As reported, the newspaper Diena previously reported that in case parties fail to agree on choosing between one of the two current nominees for the European commissioner's position – the leader of New Era Solvita Aboltina and Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins (People's Party), Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis (New Era) could nominate an alternative candidate with no political affiliation.

On the other hand, Civic Union Chairman Girts Valdis Kristovskis believes that all coalition parties should agree on nominating the current Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs for another term in office. Kristovskis commented that at this moment, when there is not much stability in the assessment of Latvia by other countries, the next commissioner should be one with authority and ability to work to protect the interests of Latvia. However, so far Piebalgs has rejected the proposition to stand as a candidate for the commissioner's post again.