On 13 December 2025, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Andžejs Viļumsons, met with the Head of the European Commission Representation in Latvia, Zane Petre, and the Press Secretary of the European Parliament Liaison Office in Latvia, Kristīne Liepiņa, to sign the annual declaration on coordination with respect to European Union matters.
The participants of the meeting exchanged views on topics high on the EU agenda. The meeting also addressed the ways of a more effective outreach and dialogue with the members of the public, especially people in the regions of Latvia, through appropriate information channels.
With a view to highlighting the landmark occasions in 2025, the European Commission Representation, the European Parliament Liaison Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs together with their cooperation partners will organise a series of events on latest developments in the EU. Traditional forums will bring together EU information providers from Latvia’s regions with the aim of building their capacity and ensuring effective mutual communication and cooperation. The Europe Day programme scheduled for May in Riga and the regions will include the annual “Back to School” and “Back to University” campaign, the activities of the European Parliament Ambassador School and events organised by the regional Europe Direct Information Centres and EU Information Points. November will see the annual conference for translation professionals, “The Latvian Language in the European Union”, to discuss current linguistic, translation and terminology issues addressed at the EU institutions and in Latvia. Fact-finding visits to the Foreign Ministry and meetings with the ministry officials will also be held to hear the opinion of young people and promote their active involvement in political processes.
The declaration on cooperation in the communication of European Union matters is being signed for the tenth consecutive year.
Background information
With the help of Europe Direct Information Centres, the European Commission provides information to the public in EU Member States at the local level. The centres’ services are free of charge. The Europe Direct information network became operational in 2005. The centres answer questions from the public on EU policies, programmes and priorities. The staff cooperates with local people throughout Latvia and forwards feedback and suggestions from residents to the EU institutions.
The European Union Information Points (ESIP) have been operational in Latvia since 2000. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs co-ordinates and supports the ESIP activities in the central libraries of Latvian municipalities. The aim of the project is to create more opportunities for residents in Latvia’s regions to become acquainted with up-to-date EU-related information. A wide range of information and literature on Latvia’s EU membership and processes is made available at 30 information points.
Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/latvianmfa/albums/72177720323141395/
