On 26 November 2020, The Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Edgars Rinkēvičs, took part in a video conference of Foreign Ministers of the European Union and its partner countries in the Southern Neighbourhood, chaired by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell Fontelles. The ministerial meeting was held on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Barcelona Declaration to discuss and reflect upon new lines of action and set out joint strategic goals for the coming years.
Edgars Rinkēvičs, called for integrating the “green transition” and digitalisation in further cooperation. He said: We need to promote sustainable and resource-efficient economies in tandem with improving public administration and expanding the opportunities for private sector development. Latvia stands ready to contribute and do its part. We can be proud of having one of the world’s fastest and most efficient 4G internet networks, as well as being one of the first to roll out a 5G network.
It is also vital to reinforce cooperation in education and research providing thereby also greater opportunities for women and youth to gain access to the labour market in partner countries. In the field of migration, it is essential to work jointly with a view on addressing the root causes of migration and better managing of migration flows.
Background information
The Barcelona Declaration was signed in 1995 establishing an instrument for closer cooperation between the European countries and those in the Southern Mediterranean region in order to promote dialogue and intercultural cooperation and to strengthen democratic traditions and human rights, sustainable economic and social development across Europe and the Mediterranean.