Foreign Ministry training on EU issues for Latvian diplomatic staff

On 1 and 4 February, the Foreign Ministry will hold a training course for Latvian embassy diplomats, who work with EU-related topics. The purpose of the training is to intensify and enhance the involvement of embassies in discussions on topical EU-related issues, and in the representation and promotion of Latvia's interests in EU member states as well as outside the EU.

During sessions, trainees will evaluate the results achieved during the Portuguese Presidency and the agenda of the Slovenian Presidency. There will be an exchange of opinions on the Lisbon Treaty, EU-Russian relations, EU enlargement and on the current developments with regard to the Western Balkans and the European neighbourhood policy. Trainees will be briefed about important topics on the EU agenda, with a special focus on home affairs, climate change and energy.

Trainees will be addressed by Ilze Juhansone, the Foreign Ministry Under-Secretary of State in EU issues, Ambassador Imants Liegis, Latvian representative on the Political and Security Committee, and Janis Zlamets, Deputy Head of the Embassy of Latvia in the Russian Federation, as well as experts from the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Economics, the Interior and Welfare, and also representatives from the Employer's Confederation of Latvia and the Institute of Physical Energetics.

These training sessions on EU issues are held on a regular basis for diplomatic staff of Latvian embassies abroad. They take place at the beginning of each new EU Presidency.

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