Press Releases
Minister Rinkēvičs: agreement vital for Europe’s future achieved in Brussels [01 Feb 2012]
On 30 January, at the informal meeting of members of the European Council in Brussels, the leaders of 25 states endorsed the Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union. The treaty lays down principles to be followed by the states when drawing up their budgets in order to avoid excessive budget deficits in future and a recurrent debt crisis.
Priorities of Latvia for the Danish Presidency [30 Jan 2012]
Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs to take part in General Affairs Council in Brussels [27 Jan 2012]
On 27 January, Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs will take part in the session of the European Union’s General Affairs Council in Brussels. The Council will focus on the EU’s next multiannual financial framework. Foreign Minister Rinkēvičs intends to speak about key priorities for Latvia: retaining the cohesion appropriations at least at the current level, as well as fair and equitable distribution of direct payments to EU farmers under the Common Agricultural Policy.
Foreign Minister of Latvia calls on EU not to delay granting candidate status to Serbia [24 Jan 2012]
On 23 January, Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs took part in the session of the European Union Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels during which the foreign ministers discussed the current situation in Iran, Myanmar, Syria, Serbia and Kosovo, as well as Belarus. In the light of the European Council conclusions of 9 December 2001 and the concerns over Iran's continued refusal to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and to comply with the UN Security Council’s resolutions, the foreign ministers agreed on extending the scope of EU restrictive measures and broadening existing sanctions against Iran, including an embargo on oil imports.
Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs to take part in Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels [23 Jan 2012]
On 23 January, Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs will take part in the session of the European Union’s Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels. The Council will see a foreign ministers’ discussion on the current situation in Syria, Myanmar, Iran, Belarus, Sudan and South Sudan, Egypt, the Middle East Peace Process, Serbia, and Kosovo.
Secretariat of Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union to start working on 1 February [17 Jan 2012]
On 17 January, the Cabinet of Ministers supported the establishment of the Secretariat of Latvia’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union as well as approving the Secretariat’s Rules of Procedure. The Secretariat of Latvian Presidency of the EU Council will be an institution of direct administration subordinate to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the aim of which is to ensure a timely and qualitative preparation of Latvia for its first Presidency of the EU Council in the first half of 2015, as well as coordinating the work during the Presidency.
Head of EU Directorate at MFA Artis Bērtulis takes part in event for launching Danish EU Presidency [10 Jan 2012]
On 10 January the EU House hosted the event for launching the Danish EU Presidency. Addresses were delivered by representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European Commission Representation in Latvia, the Embassy of Poland and the Embassy of Denmark. As from 1 January 2012, Denmark takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, being a part of the Trio Presidency held by Poland, Denmark and Cyprus.
Foreign Minister Rinkēvičs meets Ambassador of Greece to Latvia [09 Dec 2011]
On 9 December, Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs met with the Ambassador of Greece to Latvia Chryssanthie Panayotopoulou who had arrived on a farewell visit. The Foreign Minister thanked the Ambassador for her contribution to strengthening bilateral relations. Both parties expressed satisfaction at the excellent relations between Latvia and Greece.
Foreign Minister Rinkēvičs meets Ambassador of Ukraine [09 Dec 2011]
On 9 December, Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs received an accreditation visit from the Ambassador of Ukraine to Latvia Anatoliy Oliynyk. During the meeting the parties discussed topical subjects of bilateral relations, economic cooperation, as well as the EU-Ukraine relations.
Foreign Minister Rinkēvičs congratulates Croatia on signing Treaty of Accession with EU [09 Dec 2011]
On 9 December in Brussels, in the framework of the European Council, an official ceremony was held for the signing of the Treaty concerning the Accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union. The Treaty was signed by the leaders of 27 EU Member States and the President and Prime Minister of Croatia. For the Republic of Latvia, the Treaty was signed by Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis.
