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The Council of the European Union represents and protects interests of the national governments of EU Member States. The Council consists of ministers from all the EU countries. Meetings are attended by whichever ministers are responsible for the items to be discussed: foreign ministers, ministers of the economy and finance, ministers for agriculture and so on, as appropriate. The Council of the EU is one the main decision makers and legislators of the EU, though in many areas responsibility for passing laws and taking policy decisions is shared with Parliament. It also bears the main responsibility for what the EU does in the field of the common foreign and security policy and for EU action on issues related to justice and home affairs.
Impact of the public on the Council of the EU can be ensured through the national government and ministries.
Latvian ministries are responsible for representation Latvia’s national position in the particular policy area in working groups and meetings of the Council of the EU, as well as for formulation of the national position for sessions of the European Council within the scope of their competence. Social partners have the right to participate in the process of formulation of these positions.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs coordinates preparation of national positions before meetings of the Council of the EU and the European Council. Latvia’s Ambassador to the EU and his/her deputy in the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Latvia are responsible for representation of Latvia’s interests in the Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER I, COREPER II).
Permanent Representation of Latvia to the EU
Avenue des Arts 23
1000 Brussels
Belgium
Phone: +32 2 238 31 00
Fax: +32 2 238 32 50
E-mail: permrep.eu@mfa.gov.lv
Council of the European Union
Address: Rue de la Loi / Wetstraat, 175 B-1048 Brussels, Belgium
Phone: +32 2 2816111
Fax: +32 2 2816999
E-mail: public.info@consilium.europa.eu
http://consilium.europa.eu
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