On Thursday, February 11, Valdis Dombrovskis, Prime Minister of the Republic of Latvia, participated in the informal meeting of the European Council which was focused on the EU 2020 strategy and the situation in Haiti, as well as the economic situation in Greece.
During the European Council meeting the Member States agreed on support to the Greek Government and its commitment to implement the „stability programme” in 2010 primarily aimed at reducing the state budget deficit in the amount of 4%. The EU Member States agreed on the necessity to protect financial stability in the euro zone.
Another focus of the European Council was the EU 2020 strategy which would set the EU-level targets and mark the main lines of activity for the Member States in the next decade under a coordinated framework for attainment of these targets. Latvia maintains that the main task of the EU 2020 strategy is to strengthen growth potential and competitiveness both of the whole EU and every Member State. The strategy should cover such lines of activity as education, research, innovation, business, employment and energy safety, and it should also strengthen competitiveness of underdeveloped rural areas.
Discussions of the informal meeting of the European Council also addressed the current situation in Haiti and further involvement of the EU in restoration of the country. By now assistance of the EU to Haiti which suffered a devastating earthquake has amounted to as much as 213.2 million EUR but transport financing under the European Civil Protection Mechanism – 3.6 million EUR. The Latvian Government has allocated 15,000 EUR for assistance to Haiti.
Internet website of the Cabinet of Ministers includes a video recording in which Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis talks about the issues discussed at the European Council meeting: http://www.mk.gov.lv/lv/aktuali/zinas/2010gads/02/110210-mp-03/
Photos of this meeting are available in the State Chancellery’s Flickr photo album: http://www.flickr.com/photos/valstskanceleja/sets/72157623410163440/
LAINE KUČINSKA
Communication department
Deputy Head
STATE CHANCELLERY
36 Brivibas Blvd., Riga, LV-1520, LATVIJA
Phone: +37167082905, +37129457329 Fax: +37167284450
Laine.Kucinska@mk.gov.lv, www.mk.gov.lv
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