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Riga, 14 October 2011
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen!
Brussels may often be called ‘the capital of Europe’, but in fact there are now 27 capitals in the European Union. The presence of European Union offices and agencies in our Member States is a powerful symbol of our shared rights and responsibilities. That is why last year the Government of Latvia proposed Riga as the seat for the newly established BEREC Office.
When we presented our candidacy for the seat of the BEREC Office, we believed that we could offer the Agency a good and warm home, in a top-ranking country for internet speed. Latvia is proud that the Member States selected Riga to host the Office. We will return the confidence you have placed in Latvia.
Today I personally wish to thank those of you who made the decision to bring the BEREC Office to Latvia, and also thank all the friends of Latvia who facilitated this decision. It gives me great pleasure to welcome Commissioner Kroes and Deputy Minister Jankowski, as well as the high representatives of BEREC, in Riga today for the official opening ceremony. I look forward to meeting with Commissioner Kroes later today to discuss Latvia's priorities in the Digital Agenda, as well as broader issues regarding the future financing of European Union policies.
The BEREC Office will certainly be busy - it has come to Latvia at a time when the European electronic communications market is facing new challenges. The field of electronic communications is very dynamic and innovative. It is our common task to expand the benefits provided by the EU Telecom package regulation. It is our responsibility to support European citizens and European industry to overcome the difficulties by means of development and further strengthening of competitiveness.
Nobody doubts that the right development challenges are inseparable from the Community mechanisms to ensure a consistent approach in the regulatory framework. The Regulation establishing BEREC and the Office is the key element in these mechanisms. The success and effectiveness of the European Union’s single electronic communications market depends on us – policy makers and regulators, - and our dedication to achieving the targets we have set.
Much work by all involved parties has led to the successful opening of the Office in Riga. Today a new community body has found its official home – my sincere congratulations to BEREC!
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