On 23 March 2021, the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, took part in an informal videoconference of the European Union’s European Affairs Ministers. The participants discussed the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Single Market and Europe’s digital development, the planned Conference on the Future of Europe as well as questions of foreign relations including the EU’s relationships with Russia and Turkey. The discussion will feed into preparations for the meeting of EU heads of state and government on 25-26 March.
“Vaccination of 70% of the adult population in all Member States by this summer remains an EU priority; therefore, Latvia has confirmed to the EU’s Commissioner for Internal Market, Thierry Breton, its readiness to contribute to EU vaccine production capacity," Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica pointed out, referring to the Commissioner’s visit to Riga on 22 March. At the same time, the vaccination gaps must be narrowed between Member States, while also accelerating vaccine deliveries and their roll-out.
In a discussion on the EU’s economic policy, views were exchanged on the Single Market, the industrial policy and digital transformation. The Parliamentary Secretary underlined that lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic should be taken into account and work should be continued on strengthening the economic resilience of the EU, while sustaining the principles of an open economy.
The Parliamentary Secretary urged the Member States to agree on a joint call to the European Commission to present a proposal on an EU-wide framework for electronic identification (e-ID). Its absence creates obstacles to the development of digital economies in the EU. Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica also underlined that this is the right time to move ahead with the EU’s digital transformation and the development of a Digital Single Market, thereby building a solid foundation for the recovery and competitiveness of EU economies as well as security and welfare of European society.
In a discussion about external policy topics on the European Council’s agenda, the Parliamentary Secretary underlined the need for a continued dialogue with Russia. From Latvia’s perspective, said the Parliamentary Secretary, current EU policy vis á vis Russia including a circumscribed dialogue and sanctions based on five guiding policy principles should be consistently pursued.
Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica welcomed the messures Turkey has taken towards improving relations with EU Member States, thereby creating conditions conducive to cooperation.
Toward the end of the meeting, the Portuguese Presidency informed the Member States about the steps to launch the Conference on the Future of Europe this coming 9 May. Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica asserted that it is essential to ensure a fair representation of the EU's society in terms of gender, age, nationality and other criteria at all EU-level events as well making use of digital opportunities.
Background information
The meetings of the General Affairs Council are held on a monthly basis and in the first half of 2021 they are chaired by Portugal, the country holding the presidency of the Council of the EU.