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On 14 July 2026, the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Artjoms Uršuļskis, attended the meeting of the European Union (EU) General Affairs Council in Brussels. The Council’s agenda included items on the EU Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028–2034, progress on simplification initiatives, the priorities of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU, and a review of the EU’s rule of law dialogue.
The Parliamentary Secretary expressed support for the priorities of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU – competitiveness, security and values. Ireland will focus on issues that are also important to Latvia, namely strengthening EU security and defence, continuing comprehensive support for Ukraine, advancing EU enlargement by opening all negotiation clusters with Ukraine and Moldova, as well as sustainable growth and public resilience.
During the discussion on the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework, the Parliamentary Secretary, speaking on behalf of the Friends of Cohesion Group, reminded the Irish Presidency of the joint declaration by 16 Member States, which places particular emphasis on the role of cohesion policy, the Common Agricultural Policy and the Common Fisheries Policy in facilitating convergence and economic growth.
In the exchange of views on the progress of the EU’s legislative simplification, the Parliamentary Secretary expressed support for the simplification initiatives put forward by the European Commission and Commissioner Dombrovskis, and underscored Latvia's support for further efforts to reduce the administrative burden and enhance the competitiveness of EU and Latvian businesses.
The Council also approved the EU Council’s conclusions on the review of the annual rule of law dialogue, which highlight the importance of the rule of law dialogue in facilitating a constructive exchange of political views among Member States and the sharing of best practice and experiences.
In addition to the Council meeting, four Intergovernmental Conferences were held. With Ukraine and Moldova, negotiations on cluster 6 (external relations) were opened; with Montenegro, chapters 8 (competition policy) and 29 (customs union) were closed; and with Albania, chapter 25 (science and research), chapter 26 (education and culture) and chapter 30 (external relations) were closed.