On 17 February 2020, the Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Edgars Rinkēvičs, took part in the meeting of the European Union (EU) General Affairs Council in Brussels, which prepared the special 20 February meeting of the European Council on the multiannual financial framework for 2021-2027.
Edgars Rinkēvičs underlined that Latvia is currently considering the new proposal for the EU’s next Multiannual Financial Framework prepared by the President of the European Council. Edgars Rinkēvičs commended the efforts invested by the Council President’s team and the proposal made after listening to the interests of all EU Member States. Although the new proposal contains certain improvements and it can be regarded as a good basis for further discussions, Latvia does not consider that a point has been reached where we could say that our interests have been fully take into account. Consequently, in upcoming talks on the budget, Latvia will continue to stand up for its interests concerning the chapters of cohesion and agriculture policy funding, Minister Rinkēvičs asserted.
It is in Latvia’s interests to achieve a timely agreement on the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework, which would help launch programming for the funds, promote timely implementation of projects and ensure the continuity of EU investments in Latvia. Latvia’s priorities in negotiations have not changed - in the context of Brexit, to prevent a significant reduction in the areas of Cohesion Policy and rural development, as well as bringing direct payments up to the level of the EU average. Sufficient financial support should also be ensured for the Rail Baltica project and the military mobility projects.