On 11–12 December 2023, the State Secretary of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Andris Pelšs, took part in an informal meeting of State Secretaries and Directors General from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the European Union Member States. At the meeting, Belgium presented priorities for its presidency of the Council of the EU due to begin on 1 January 2024.
Looking ahead at the Belgian Presidency, priority matters for Latvia will be continued support to Ukraine, economic growth and finances, as well as the enlargement of the EU.
At the meeting, the Member States reaffirmed that a rules-based international order and respect for democratic principles were values that the EU would continue protecting. Andris Pelšs underlined that the EU should continue to provide long-term military, financial and political support to Ukraine, as well as to engage actively in the reconstruction process of Ukraine. He expressed hope that decisions on the opening of accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova would be taken as early as during the European Council in December.
With regard to the EU Strategic Agenda 2024–2029, Andris Pelšs noted that security was at the heart of implementation of all the priorities, while the defence industry was important both in providing assistance to Ukraine, in developing the EU’s capabilities, and in restocking supplies in the EU Member States.