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On Wednesday, June 13, Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis in Strasbourg (France) will deliver a speech at the meeting of the largest political group of the European Parliament – "European People's Party". The Prime Minister will emphasize Latvia's priorities regarding the multiannual financial framework of the EU – to ensure the cohesion funding amount that is required for growth of Latvia and a level playing field for Latvian farmers in the common European market.
The most significant priorities of Latvia in the process of development of the EU's multiannual financial framework for 2014-2020 are sufficient support for growth of Latvia and for reduction of regional disparities, ensuring adequate EU's Cohesion Policy funding and a level-playing field for Latvian farmers, providing fair direct payments.
The Cohesion Policy funding, at least in the current amount, is important to approximate the standard of living of Latvia and other Baltic countries to other EU Member States, as well as an important factor for infrastructure development. Therefore, to ensure the economic growth of Latvia, the cohesion funding should not be reduced.
Within the framework of the Common Agricultural Policy, direct payments for the farmers of Latvia and other Baltic countries should be set in the amount of at least 80% of the EU average, thus avoiding the situation that the direct payment level for the Baltic countries is lower than elsewhere in the European Union. Therefore, at the meeting, the Prime Minister will call for strengthening the level playing field principle in the EU and will agree on the direct payment system that will ensure a level playing field and sustainable agriculture in the EU.
The Baltic farmers' organizations also express regret regarding the proposals of the European Commission as of October 2011 and demand prevention of large disparities regarding direct payments. More detailed information regarding the farmers' position: http://www.mk.gov.lv/files/tiesmaksajumi_eng.doc
It is also important for Latvia to envisage favourable conditions for the implementation of projects of interest for Latvia within the framework of the Connecting Europe Facility. Latvia would like to achieve a more balanced participation of all EU Member States in the use of the research and development program "Horizon 2020".
Supplementary information about Latvia's priorities in the EU's multiannual financial framework: http://www.am.gov.lv/en/eu/mff/
Within the framework of the visit, V.Dombrovskis will meet members of the European Parliament responsible for the cohesion and budgetary issues, a meeting with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe and Chairman of the European Court of Human Rights is planned.
Supplementary information:
Mārtiņš Panke
Press Secretary to the Prime Minister
Phone: +371 67082865, +371 26556965
E-mail: Martins.Panke@mk.gov.lv
Information prepared by:
Diana Germane
Consultant of the Communication Department
State Chancellery
Phone: +371 67082922
E-mail: diana.germane@mk.gov.lv
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