Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins: consular assistance as function of EU External Action Service would be added value of Lisbon Treaty for every EU citizen [08 Mar 2010]

On 5–6 March Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins took part in the Informal Meeting of the European Union (EU) Foreign Ministers in Cordoba, Spain. On the initiative of Miguel Angel Moratinos, Foreign Minister of Spain, the country currently holding the EU presidency, the agenda of the ministerial meeting focused on challenges in foreign and security policy faced by the EU, after the Treaty of Lisbon has entered into effect.

The foreign ministers of the EU Member States, together with the EU High Representative Catherine Ashton, discussed as a priority the issues related to the establishment of the EU External Action Service (EEAS), and the possibilities for the High Representative to contribute to the formation of a more influential and consolidated European Union within the Lisbon Treaty. The EU High Representative Catherine Ashton informed the foreign ministers about the process of preparing the proposal on the EU External Action Service to be presented end of April.

During the discussion on the establishment of the EEAS, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins emphasised the significance of an adequate Member States representation in the new diplomatic service, expressly in view of the fact that the new Member States are currently underrepresented in the EU institutions. "It is important for every Member State to be involved and to feel that its opinion and competence are appreciated and to the benefit; thus public support to the European Union could only increase," Minister Riekstins emphasised.

The Foreign Minister of Latvia also urged the EU High Representative to include consular representation in the list of functions for the new service, and noted that this aspect would be of a particular importance for the small Member States whose network of diplomatic representations does not cover all the regions of the world. "Consular assistance, in crisis situations in particular, would represent a true added value of the Treaty of Lisbon for every EU citizen," Mr Riekstins noted.

EU foreign ministers shared opinions on the ways of strengthening the EU's global influence and fostering relations with China, India, Brazil, the USA, and Russia. A live topic for discussion was also the situation in the Middle East and the EU involvement in dealing with the issue. Minister Riekstins indicated during the discussion that the key to ensuring the EU influence lies in the "single voice" policy.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the EU foreign ministers together with their colleagues from candidate countries reviewed the current situation in Western Balkans.

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