On Monday 4 June, Prime Minister Māris Kučinskis participated in the 9th Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region in Tallinn.
In his address to participants at the forum’s opening event, M. Kučinskis pointed out that the EU recognizes the Baltic States as a green, environmentally friendly and innovative region in the north of Europe. Many successful projects have been implemented through joint efforts of all three countries since the approval of the Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region. He also noted that there is no reason to stop because the region is facing big challenges and opportunities.
“The Baltic States have made a significant progress in their path from the “energy island” towards integration into the EU energy market, thanks to the major support from the European Union. Regional cooperation with meaningful participation of the European Commission has made a significant contribution to the establishment of a functioning and open electricity and gas market. Therefore, the objectives and principles of the EU Energy Union remain of particular relevance to us," said the Prime Minister.
M. Kučinskis also emphasized that the concept of a Data Driven Nation is being developed in Latvia. According to the concept, new and innovative products will be developed based on the availability of public data, public education and involvement through open data.
“We view the development of the innovation ecosystem in the European Union with great hope. We wish that our innovators, including - in the fields of artificial intelligence, quantum computers and smart cars, see themselves in this framework," said M. Kučinskis.
He also drew attention to the EU's multiannual budget, pointing out that the levelling out of differences in the standard of living in the EU should be the key priority of the multiannual budget.
We will push for adequate funding from the Cohesion Policy and will work to ensure that the criteria for the allocation of cohesion funds place emphasis on regions, which still lag behind the average GDP of the EU.
He also pointed to the importance of developing an integrated EU research, innovation and digital environment. In this context, the European Commission's proposal to increase funding for research and innovation in the digital area for the next multi-annual budgetary period is particularly welcomed.
The forum was also attended by Jüri Ratas, Prime Minister of Estonia, Saulius Skvernelis, Prime Minister of Lithuania, Jacek Czaputowicz, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland, Andrus Ansip, Vice-President of the European Commission and Corina Crețu, Commissioner for Regional Policy.
Andrejs Vaivars
Press Secretary to the Prime Minister
Mob.: 29228678
E-mail: Andrejs.Vaivars@mk.gov.lv