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On December 15, in the evening, Aigars KalvÄ«tis, Prime Minister of the Republic of Latvia, participated at the meeting of the European Council in Brussels. Heated debate started during working dinner when the focus of discussions was on the EU Financial Perspective for 2007-2013. EU Heads of State and Government expressed their views on the proposals of the EU Presidency, agreed on necessity to seek a compromise through constructive discussions and pointed out to the Presidency that a new proposal is needed in order adopt the new EU budget. Both during the official meeting and informal bilateral discussions Aigars KalvÄ«tis actively protected LatviaâÀ™s position and expressed dissatisfaction with the budget proposals of the United Kingdom, which are unacceptable for Latvia, disregard the principle of solidarity in the EU and would not foster reduction of LatviaâÀ™s economic and social backwardness. During the working dinner the United Kingdom informed about its plans to prepare a new proposal on EU Financial Perspective. On Friday, December 16, a bilateral meeting of the Latvian Prime Minister and the Presidency is planned when Aigars KalvÄ«tis will explain LatviaâÀ™s arguments to the United Kingdom and ask for increased funding for Latvia. Today the European Council continues its work and further discussions are planned on the EU budget. Aigars KalvÄ«tis has expressed his belief that there is still a possibility for EU Member States to agree on the new EU financial framework. 
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