Foreign Minister invites Baltic and Benelux counterparts to discuss co-operation between EU small and medium-sized states

On 2-3 October 2007, at the initiative of Latvian Foreign Minister Dr Artis Pabriks, the meeting of foreign ministers of the Baltic and Benelux states (3+3) will take place at Jurmala, for the purpose of discussing the co-operation and role of small and medium states of the European Union (EU). This is the first 3+3 meeting at the foreign minister level, and continues to develop the good co-operation between the Baltic and Benelux states at the regional and EU levels.

During the conference, the Baltic and Benelux foreign ministers will exchange views on the role of the EU's small and medium states in the decision-making process, managing the migration and integration processes, and will discuss the further development of the European Neighbourhood Policy. The Benelux states are among the founders of the EU, and so dialogue with them is important, to exchange views on future EU integration models and possibilities.

On 1 January, Latvia assumed the Presidency of the Baltic Council of Ministers (BCM) from Lithuania, and from 1 July is the Presiding State of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS). One of Latvia's objectives in the BCM and CBSS is the development and promotion of regional co-operation and with kindred organisations such as Benelux.

Regular and good co-operation has formed between the Baltic Assembly and the Benelux Interparliamentary Consultative Council. On 25-26 January this year, Benelux parliamentarians participated in the joint meeting of the Baltic Assembly Environment Protection and Energy Committee and the Baltic Assembly Legal Affairs and Security Committee. On 8 March this year, before the European Council, Latvian Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis together with the Heads of Government of Lithuania and Estonia met with the heads of government of Benelux and discussed topical issues on the EU agenda.

For the attention of the media

Journalists are invited to attend a joint press conference with Latvian Foreign Minister Dr Artis Pabriks, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Dr. Petras Vaitiekunas, Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet, Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht, Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Immigration Jean Asselborn, and the Dutch Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Verhagen, on 3 October at the Baltic Beach Hotel, first floor in the Jurmala Room, between  10.35 and 11.05.

Journalists are invited to register their attendance at the press conference by telephone on 7016198 before 4.00 pm on 2 October.

Travel to Jurmala and return has been provided for eight persons. The transport will depart from the Foreign Ministry at 9.30 am on 3 October.

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