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On 10–11 May 2026, in Nicosia, Cyprus, Artjoms Uršuļskis, the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, participated in an informal meeting of the General Affairs Council of the European Union (EU).
The meeting’s agenda included issues regarding the next EU multiannual budget, the EU enlargement, as well as the prevention of foreign information manipulation and interference in elections.
In the discussion on the next EU multiannual budget for 2028–2034, ministers focused on instruments for crisis management. The Parliamentary Secretary emphasised that the EU solidarity and joint crisis management mechanisms are worthy of support, but this cannot come at the expense of cohesion and agricultural policies. The next EU multiannual budget must maintain sufficient funding for Member States, particularly given the consequences of Russia’s war of aggression for countries on the eastern border
The EU candidate countries also participated in the discussion on the EU enlargement, and the talks focused on the essential role of values and fundamental rights. The Parliamentary Secretary emphasised the need for the EU candidate countries to join the EU’s security and foreign policy positions, as well as sanctions, which are also closely linked to the need for common European security. The Parliamentary Secretary also expressed Latvia’s support for Ukraine’s integration into the EU, calling for the immediate opening of negotiation clusters with both Ukraine and Moldova.
The UK Minister for European Union Relations, Nick Thomas-Symonds, also participated in the exchange of views on preventing foreign information manipulation and interference. The Parliamentary Secretary emphasised Latvia’s support for a coordinated EU policy to combat hybrid threats, including foreign information manipulation and interference in elections, as well as close cooperation in this area with like-minded countries.