On Friday 16 September, Prime Minister Māris Kučinskis participates in an informal meeting of the EU heads of state or government in Bratislava. The aim of the meeting is to continue the discussion on the future of the EU that was launched at the European Council meeting on June 28-29.
Already at the beginning of the meeting, the participants called on all EU states to work together and not to pretend that everything is fine and no conclusions have to be made in relation to the results of the UK referendum when 48.1% backed remaining in the EU, while 51.9% the withdrawal from the Union.
The European Council agreed on the need to strengthen the EU with a particular emphasis on the economic development and security. It was also widely acceppted that despite the UK’s withdrawal, the EU is irreplacable for remaining 27 member states.
When addressing the participants of the meeting, M. Kučinskis praised the fact that there is a common understanding of the EU's internal and external security, as well as steps to be staken to improve it. He also stressed that the economic development is the EU's priority, while highlighting the need for measures to strengtthen the socio-economic convergence or equalize the living standards in the EU member states.
In order to contribute to improvement of the socio-economic situation, it is in Latvia’s interests to improve the EU's single market, by strengthening all four freedoms and without discrimination with regard to the free movement of labour and services. It is essential to promote the signing of mutually beneficial trade agreements between the EU and third countries.
The Bratislava summit is held between 27 member states and UK does not participate in it. The summit is the first of a series of informal meetings of the EU heads of state or government, which addresses the future development of the EU following the UK referendum.
Information prepared by:
Andrejs Vaivars
Press Secretary to the Prime Minister
Phone: +371 29228678
E-mail: Andrejs.Vaivars@mk.gov.lv