“The European Union leaders’ agreement on predictable long-term support for Ukraine of EUR 50 billion is also very good news for the security of Latvia and Europe as a whole,” emphasizes Prime Minister Evika Siliņa commenting on the results of the Special European Council meeting of Thursday 1 February.
The Prime Minister also points out that in this way, the European Union has reaffirmed that it is able to come to an agreement. “Our joint decision comes as very good news also for Latvia. The European Union has demonstrated its ability to reach an agreement, recognising that the expected long-term support for Ukraine is also a necessary contribution to Europe’s security. The agreement will strengthen Ukraine in its fight against the aggressor. It is also important that the agreement sends a clear signal to the Ukrainian people that the European Union stands with them – this is also confirmed by the decision taken in December to open the accession negotiations with Ukraine,” said E. Siliņa.
The Prime Minister also emphasises, “The support for Ukraine forms part of a broader review of the EU budget, which opens up the opportunities to address the issues of migration and security at the EU’s external borders. The European Union faces many pressing challenges that require our attention, including the agricultural policy and farmers’ problems in the EU countries. We agreed at the European Council on the need to seek solutions to the issues that are of concern to our farmers.”
It has already been reported that on 1 February, Prime Minister E. Siliņa participates in the Special European Council meeting. On 14 December, the European Union (EU) leaders decided to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova.
