Latvia is interested in a united and developed EU energy market

The Latvian Foreign Ministry and the British international conference centre Wilton Park held the conference at Jurmala on Energy Security in the European Union: The Eastern and Baltic Dimension from 24 to 27 September.

The conference focused on such significant long-term objectives in the area of energy policy as the provision of stable, environmentally friendly energy supplies and the prevention of climate change. An opinion surfaced that the new initiative by the European Commission on distributing production of energy, about guarantee obligations in relations with third states, and on the liberalisation of the EU energy market is a significant step towards harmonising EU energy policy. It was also stated that in order to achieve market liberalisation and establish a common approach to energy issues, member-states and their companies have to further the search for additional solutions.

Concerning the development of the EU energy policy, Latvia is interested in reaching such a solution in which the common EU market would be developed and strengthened by stimulating competition, and that it would comply with the interests of all its players and internal conditions of the EU. Likewise, economic development needs to be encouraged, and the specific characteristics of the various regions also need to be taken into account.

The security of energy supplies, reasonable price, and investments cannot be entirely separated from external factors. Conference participants also discussed the role of geopolitics in the context of global energy market. A strong future for Europe depends on how and when EU member-states will find joint solutions that would stimulate development and economic growth, research, and enhanced technologies.

About 75 participants from various states took part in the conference. The Latvian Foreign Ministry was represented by Gints Jegermanis, Head of Planning Unit, Maija Manika, the Under-Secretary of State for Economic Issues, and the Foreign Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister, Peteris Ustubs.

This was the first Wilton Park conference to be held in Latvia. The conclusions on Energy Security in the European Union: The Eastern and Baltic Dimension will undoubtedly promote EU member-state negotiations on developing European energy policy in the context of the European Commission new proposals. Co-operation between Latvia and the UK in organising the conference reflects the role of European partnerships on the way to global stability of climate and ensuring stable energy supplies.   

Wilton Park is an academically independent non-profit agency of the UK Foreign Office that holds high-profile discussions on current international and EU issues. The participants of these discussions include representatives from a vast spectrum of the public sector, EU institutions, NGOs, and academics.

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