Horizontal priorities of the Government of Latvia
The European Union Multiannual Financial Framework for the period of
2014-2020, the future of the Cohesion Policy and the Common Agricultural Policy
Continued discussions on the European Commission's proposal concerning the EU Multiannual Financial Framework for the period from 2014 to 2020 and related legislative initiatives for the revenues and expenditures part of the budget.
· Continued negotiations on European Commission's proposal for the regulations on the Cohesion Policy after 2013. It is important for Latvia to achieve that cohesion policy support is received at the level, which would ensure the required investments for the socio-economic development and growth of the country.
· Continued discussions on the EC proposals for the Common Agricultural Policy after 2013. Fair and equitable direct payments, as well as fair and adequate distribution of funds under the rural development policy must be ensured to farmers in all EU member states.
Sustainable economic growth and financial stability
· Fiscal discipline and reinforced coordination of economic policies in the Eurozone, namely, the drafting of the new inter-governmental treaty and debate on the new economic governance legislative package for the Eurozone.
· Drawing up the Progress Report on the implementation of the National Reform Programme and the Convergence Programme, as well as updating those programmes within the "European semester", a cycle of economic policy coordination for 2012.
· Continued reforms within the financial sector, namely, enhancing the regulation and supervision of financial market, as well as developing the crisis management framework.
· Discussion on tax policy, i.e. on introducing a common consolidated basis for the company tax and possibilities for introducing a financial transaction tax.
· Reinforcing the single market of the EU and establishing a common digital market. Achieving objectives of the Single Market Act and a successful implementation of the initiatives.
· Discussion on the course towards creating green and sustainable growth without increasing resource and energy consumption; producing a long-term climate and energy strategy for the period extending until 2050.
Energy and transport policy
· Discussion on the priorities of the EU's energy and transport infrastructure and financing mechanism.
· Setting up a common EU energy market, including the implementation of the Baltic energy market interconnection plan.
· Further deliberations on the Energy Efficiency Directive.
· Debate on the EU Guidelines for the Development of the Trans-European Transport Networks.
Foreign policy
Eastern Partnership
· On the basis of the declaration of the the Eastern Partnership Roadmap should be developed under the Danish Presidency.
· Talks must be promoted with individual Eastern Partnership states on Association agreements and deep free trade agreements. It is important to advance the visa dialogue.
· In order to achieve common goals, it is important for partner states to implement reforms, making use of the possibilities offered by the EU.
Western Balkans
- During the Danish Presidency, Latvia expects progress with the eurointegration process of the Western Balkan states Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. Further process of the integration into the EU of these countries will be related to the process of domestic reforms and the ability to deal with bilateral issues, as well as on the process of the Eurozone stabilization within the EU itself.
Africa
- Support to further democratic reforms in the region of North Africa, by applying the EU financial support instruments, the member state experience and expertise in improving public administration and reform implementations.
The Middle East
- A balanced foreign policy in the matters of the Middle East Peace Process through supporting the role of the Middle East Peace Quartet in resuming direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian National Authority.
- Common position of the EU in the matters of the Middle East Peace Process and Palestinian statehood.
· Active involvement in the process of strengthening cooperation with the Gulf States, by using the modalities of the EU and the Gulf States Cooperation Council.
· Long-term support to and strengthening cooperation with Afghanistan, in order to enhance security in the region.
Asia
- Promoting cooperation with the ASEAN member states and Japan through the format of free trade agreements, thus also raising Latvia's profile in the region and help entering new markets.
- Continuing stable and sustainable partnership relations with China.
Transatlantic relations
· Cooperation between the EU and the USA in current international matters (also in relation to North Africa, Iran Afghanistan, the Middle East).
· Enhancing the EU-USA cooperation in the EU Eastern Partnership region (including Belarus and Ukraine).
· EU-USA cooperation towards global economic development, as well as strengthening transatlantic economic relations through the formats of the Transatlantic Economic Council and the EU-U.S. Energy Council.
Development cooperation
· Discussions on new external relations financial instruments, including earmarked funding for transferring the experience of the new EU member states to partner countries and reducing the contribution key to the European Development Fund.
· Concluding discussions on increasing the impact of the EU development policy and providing budgetary support.
EU enlargement
- Continued European integration of Croatia, Turkey and Iceland according to the progress of each individual candidate state and its performance in complying with the set criteria.
- The period of the Danish Presidency coincides with the ratification process of the Treaty on the Accession of Croatia to the EU in the member states, including Latvia. Latvia hopes that the process of ratification will go on smoothly and thus allow achieving the goal set by the EC and the member states, namely, that Croatia becomes a full-fledged EU member on 1 July 2013.
EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region
Setting the Strategy targets and indicators at the priority level; report on the Strategy Action Plan in May 2012.
· Discussion on the EC Communication Strategy and the development of the draft conclusion of the Council of the European Union for the Strategy review. An important issue will be aligning the funds with the EU's next multiannual budget. The Third Annual Stakeholders' Forum will be held in Copenhagen in summer.