Communication with Society

02.12.2014. 19:09

The framework document for the EU communication (2006 – 2011) determines a need to improve the EU communication and enhance the knowledge of society regarding their opportunities, rights and responsibilities within the EU.

In order to reach this goal, the government has set three main objectives:

  1. to inform society on the EU, enhance society’s involvement in the EU discussions and ensure feedback of the government,
  2. to create an effective coordination framework for the government’s communication with society on the EU,
  3. to increase capacity of the information communicators (European Union Information Points, social partners, non-governmental organisations, teachers, lecturers, librarians and mass media) and to coordinate their activities.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been in charge of the EU communication since January 1, 2010. The Ministry informs society, promotes discussions on the EU and Latvia’s membership in it, coordinates communication activities of the line ministries and involves in the activities other EU communicators.

The main tools to implement these objectives are the following:

  • Management Partnership agreement;
  • The European Union Information library;
  • The cooperation with the regional EU Information Points ;
  • Web site www.es.gov.lv.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs cooperates with the State Chancellery and line ministries, the European Parliament Information office and the European Commission Representation in Latvia, the EU Information Points, the Europe Direct information points, social partners, non-governmental organizations and other communicators.

Management Partnership

The government of Latvia and the European Commission signed the four year Management Partnership agreement on July 10, 2009. The Management Partnership agreement ensures enhanced cooperation between the government of Latvia and the EU institutions. The implementation of joint communication activities is defined by the Communication plan. The available financing for Latvia from the European Commission to implement the Communication plan is 200 000 euro annually.

The following operations were included in the Communication plan 2009 – an active participation of society in the EU processes; Democracy and people in Europe – what Europe does for its citizens; Europe and youth.

The general operations of the Communication plan 2010 are the EU communication via the internet and mass media; the European year for combating poverty and social exclusion; the European week 2010; a dialogue with society on the EU issues.

The Communication plan 2011 is going implement an integrated communication campaign; publish academic publications and researches; organise the European week 2011; increase capacity of the EU communicators.

European Union Information Library

The Library is available for everybody and it has a wide range of collections and materials on EU issues: handbooks, monographs on the EU institutions and structure, the European Union law, economy, social policy, environment, external relations, EU enlargement, as well as materials about Latvia in the EU. There are approximately 76 periodicals on the EU and 220 units of electronic information material like DVDs, CD etc.

Contact information:

Aspazijas Blvd. 28 (2nd floor)
Riga, LV 1050

Phone: (+371) 67212611

Fax: (+371) 67223063

E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.es.gov.lv/lv/biblioteka

The European Union Information Points

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs coordinates and supports 32 EU Information Points in Latvia. They are located in the central libraries in all regions of Latvia. The main aim of these Points is to provide society with relevant information on the EU.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on a regular basis organises workshops for the EU communicators to inform on the EU and discuss cooperation issues.

Web-site www.es.gov.lv

www.es.gov.lv is an informative web site on the activities of the government in the EU related matters. One can find there useful information on the EU and Latvia’s membership in it, as well as information on society’s involvement and opportunities.

Special sections of this web-site have been crated to facilitate information on the EU among pupils and students.