On Friday 29 June in Brussels, Prime Minister Māris Kučinskis participated in the European Council summit devoted to the issues of major importance for the European Union (EU), with a focus on the process related to the UK’s withdrawal from the EU or Brexit.
Over the coming months – by October this year, we will have to agree on the Withdrawal Agreement and future relations after the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU. M.Kučinskis points out that the outcome of Brexit negotiations that is acceptable to both sides may occur only if the 27 EU countries are united in the talks with the United Kingdom.
It is particularly important to resolve the issue of the management of the Withdrawal Agreement and the absence of a physical border between the United Kingdom and Ireland. Latvia is interested in maintaining the closest possible relationship with the United Kingdom also after its withdrawal from the EU. In negotiations on the framework of future relations, it is important to observe the common EU principles – respect for EU decision-making autonomy, equal competition rules, the integrity and legal framework of the Single Market and Customs Union.
On 29 June, the Eurozone Summit was also held in Brussels, marking the progress made in establishing the Banking Union. The need to further strengthen the euro area was also highlighted. The Prime Minister noted that Latvia has a strong single currency, and thus Latvia is ready to discuss all the proposals that would strengthen the euro area.
The Euro Summit welcomed the Eurogroup’s announcement of 21 June 2018 regarding the payment of the last instalment of the European Stability Mechanism to Greece and on the medium-term debt relief measures, which successfully complete the financial assistance to Greece.
Andrejs Vaivars
Press Secretary to the Prime Minister
Mob.: 29228678
E-mail: Andrejs.Vaivars@mk.gov.lv