On 22 March 2024, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is hosting a conference “Twenty years of Latvia’s membership of the European Union and NATO”. The aim of the conference was to look back at the milestone events, to analyse their impact on Latvia, as well as to emphasise the importance and benefits of Latvia’s membership of the European Union and NATO in various fields.
At the opening of the conference, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Krišjānis Kariņš underlined: “Latvia’s decision 30 years ago, upon regaining its national independence, to join the EU and NATO, is the best decision since the decision of 18 November 1918 on the proclamation of the Latvian state. The wisdom of our people pays off as we live in peace today and continue to build our prosperity. We now support Ukraine on its path to the EU and NATO since we all will benefit from that.”
The participants discussed topics such as Latvia’s accession to the single market of the European Union, joining the Schengen area and the eurozone, and a gradual opening of the EU labour market. The speakers highlighted benefits for citizens, businesses and the economy, which have become possible due to Latvia’s membership of the European Union.
A discussion on NATO-related issues took stock of the progress made over 20 years in the strengthening of Latvia’s external security and highlighted the adaptation of the Alliance to new challenges in a changing security environment.
At the conference, perspectives were shared by experts representing various fields and sectors, including public administration, European institutions, social partners, civil society, think tanks and the media.
The representatives of civil society, the media, the academia, the European Union Information Points and centres, and other stakeholders attended and watched the event online
