On 9 and 10 December 2024, Warsaw hosted an informal meeting of State Secretaries and Directors-General from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Member States of the European Union (EU), at which Poland, as the next Presidency of the Council of the EU, presented its priorities for the first half of 2025. Latvia was represented at the meeting by the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Andžejs Viļumsons.
An important place in the list of objectives set by Poland and work to be accomplished will be assigned to issues related to strengthening of comprehensive security and resilience in EU Member States, including the development of the security sector and industry, increasing of the EU’s competitiveness and economic security, the promotion of resilience to hybrid threats, and the development of energy security and independence. The EU’s support to Ukraine, including reconstruction and reforms, as well as issues related to the EU enlargement process and strengthening relations with the US, will also remain a priority.
At the meeting, Andžejs Viļumsons noted that “Latvia and Poland have a similar perspective of EU security and economic matters. Latvia supports the priorities set by the incoming Polish Presidency, which are aimed at building a strong and functional European Union. While continuing its support to Ukraine, the EU should use all the instruments at its disposal, including sanctions, to curb Russia’s ability to sustain its aggression”.
As officials from EU Member States appraised current geopolitical processes, they expressed their commitment to developing positive agendas with transatlantic partners, building closer coordination with the UK and strengthening cooperation with like-minded global partners.