Foreign Minister to hold press conference on the results of Latvia's five-year membership of the European Union and on future challenges

On 23 April, at 1.00 p.m., Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will hold a press conference on the results to date of Latvia's five-year membership of the European Union and on challenges that may lie ahead. The press conference will take place in the conference room on the 1^st floor of the Foreign Ministry building.

During the Press Conference, the Foreign Minister will present an overview on the results of Latvia's participation in the European Union, sketching out future prospects as well as identifying the main foreign policy guidelines.

The Minister will also update the audience on Foreign Ministry  organised informative events, including the 1 May Garden Festivities in the Vermanes Gardens, which are being organised in association with the European Commission representation in Latvia, the Riga City Council, various NGOs and embassies in Latvia of the European Union member states. On 7 May, a conference will be held in the great hall of the University of Latvia on the topic "Belonging to Europe - History, Culture, and Political Identity".

On 1 May it will be five years since Latvia became a member state of the European Union. On 1 May 2004, the greatest single increase of membership in the history of the European Union took place. In addition to Latvia, nine other states also were accepted into the Union: the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Lithuania, Malta, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary and Poland.

Media representatives wishing to attend the press conference are invited to contact the Foreign Ministry Press Centre on 67016 272 by 12 noon on 23 April, 2009.

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