Prime Minister
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From 9 to 10 March, Prime Minister Māris Kučinskis will pay a visit to Brussels to participate in work of the European Council.

The regular European Council is expected to elect its President for the period from 1 June 2017 to 30 November 2019. M. Kučinskis supports the current President of the European Council Donald Tusk for further work in this post.

This European Council intends to focus on jobs, growth and competitiveness in the EU countries, external security and defence, as well as migration. The proposals for the regulation establishing the European Public Prosecutor's Office will also be discussed.

Within the framework of the European Council, on 10 March, the 27 Heads of State or Government will prepare for the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome. It will be held on 25 March 2017 in Rome.

Latvia benefits from its EU membership, both politically and economically; therefore Latvia is interested in maintaining and building on the progress in the current EU integration process, including the Single Market and its four freedoms, the Schengen area and the single currency area. The forthcoming Rome Declaration has to reflect the EU Member States' vision of the EU's future. Latvia believes that this vision should be based on three pillars: values, security and welfare.

Andrejs Vaivars
Press Secretary to the Prime minister
Phone: 29228678
E-mail: Andrejs.Vaivars@mk.gov.lv