Latvia emphasises importance of external dimensions of EU energy policy

On 10 March a meeting of the European Union (EU) General Affairs and External Relations Council took place in Brussels, attended by the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Normans Penke. The main focus was on preparations for the next meeting of Heads of States and Government of EU countries – the spring meeting of the European Council, to be held in Brussels on 13 and 14 March.

Taking part in discussions on EU energy policy, State Secretary Normans Penke emphasised that in as regards the Third energy package, it is important to achieve a solution which would take into account the particularities of national and regional markets. The State Secretary remarked on the importance of united action by the EU on the issue of diversification of sources and supply routes of energy resources, as well as in relations with countries which are energy suppliers. 

Mr Penke further noted that achieving climate and energy policy targets will be a challenge for member countries, and therefore the different situations in member states and the need to ensure sustainable economic development should be taken into account. From Latvia's point of view it is essential that, in striving to reduce hothouse gas emissions by 30% at Community level, in the event that a more extensive international agreement were to be reached, the contribution of each country in reducing emissions since 1990 should be taken into consideration in keeping with the Kyoto Protocol.

At the meeting of the Foreign Relations Council the Ministers exchanged views on Georgia in relation to the upcoming parliamentary elections in May this year. Taking part in the debate, Normans Penke advised the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of EU countries about the support given to Georgia by Latvia during its reform process and also of the training visit of representatives of the Georgian Central Election Commission to Latvia at the end of February this year. The State Secretary emphasised that it is important for the EU to develop a dialogue with Georgia on issues of simplifying the visa regime and re-admission of illegal immigrants, and to move forward step by step in the area of free trade.

Turning to Western Balkans, the Council welcomed the handover of the Southeast European Stability Pact to the Council of Regional Cooperation, and called on all countries of the region to make use of this new form of cooperation to jointly address the strategic issues of the region, especially regarding energy, trade, readmission of refugees and border control. Concerning Bosnia and Herzegovina, the EU Council noted the progress achieved by this country with regard to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the European Union and urged its institutions to make further efforts to ensure fulfilment of  the conditions necessary for signing the agreement.

Reviewing the development of current issues, the EU Ministers of Foreign Affairs discussed the situation in the Near East region and confirmed their support for the peace process begun at the Annapolis Conference. The EU High Representative Javier Solana reported to the Ministers about his visit to the Near East region.

Commissioner of the European Commission, Peter Mandelson, briefed the Ministers about the current situation in the multilateral trade liberalisation negotiations of the World Trade Organisation.  The Council recalled the substantial contribution that the EU has made in these talks and emphasised the need to reach a comprehensive, ambitious and balanced final outcome across all areas of the negotiations in conformity with the mandate of the talks.

The Foreign Ministers also had an exchange of views on Iran's nuclear programme in relation to the recent report by the International Atomic Energy Agency and the resolution of the UN Security Council adopted on 3 March, which provides for additional sanctions against this country.

Ministers also reviewed the situation in Zimbabwe before the coming presidential and parliamentary elections in that country on 29 March.

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