On Friday 10 March, during the informal meeting of the 27 Heads of State or Government of the European Union (EU) in Brussels, the meeting of the EU Heads of State or Government was prepared on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome. It is scheduled for the end of March in Italy.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Māris Kučinskis pointed out that the Rome Summit will neither be the beginning nor the end of the discussion on the future of Europe, while at the same time it will have a political and symbolic significance – the Summit should send a message about the unity of 27 EU states and serve as the basis for the willingness to develop the EU project.
The Prime Minister stressed that when reading the Rome Declaration, all Europeans should see themselves in it. As regards the chapter on the EU achievements in the Rome Declaration, it would be beneficial to reflect not only the dream of peace that materialised 60 years ago, but also the dream of freedom that came true for a part of Europe after the fall of the Berlin Wall. These two big dreams underpin the EU, and that is why we see the EU as a union of values, as the area of freedom, democracy and the rule of law," said M.Kučinskis.
In terms of the future of Europe, the Prime Minister stressed the need to maintain the progress made so far in the EU integration, and we should not step away in this area – there is the need to further develop and improve the EU project.
Latvia benefits from its EU membership both politically and economically, therefore, Latvia is interested in maintaining and developing the current progress in the EU integration process, including the single market and the four freedoms, which were introduced in the Treaty of Rome establishing the European Economic Community; the Schengen area and the single currency area.
M. Kučinskis acknowledged that Latvia is not afraid of the possibility that there might be the EU countries that wish to deepen cooperation in one or another area – above all, this process should be open to all and unite us not divide us. Latvia believes that the EU should continue to focus on defending the values (human dignity, freedom, democracy, justice and human rights), promotion of security and prosperity, incl. bridging the gap in the living standards in the EU countries.
As announced, Prime Minister M. Kučinskis is paying a visit to Brussels from 9-10 March to participate in work of the European Council.
Andrejs Vaivars
Press Secretary to the Prime Minister
Mob.: 29228678
E-mail: Andrejs.Vaivars@mk.gov.lv