The incoming Latvian Presidency of the Council has identified the right priorities for its six months at the helm, Latvian MEP Roberts Zile said today as he represented the ECR at a meeting between the European Parliament and the Latvian government.

The incoming Latvian Presidency of the Council has identified the right priorities for its six months at the helm, Latvian MEP Roberts Zile said today as he represented the ECR at a meeting between the European Parliament and the Latvian government.

Representing the eurorealist European Conservatives and Reformists Group, Mr Zile met with the Latvian Prime Minister and the government Ministers, with the President Andris Bērziņš as well as with the Speaker of the Latvian Parliament — the Saeima — Ināra Mūrniece, from the ECR family.

Mr Zile welcomed the three pillars of the Presidency, namely a competitive Europe, a Digital Europe and an inclusive and engaged Europe.

He said:

“It was an honour to be in Latvia representing the ECR as my country prepares to assume the EU Presidency.

“The three pillars of the Presidency are ones that the ECR would support: a competitive Europe, the Digital Single Market, and an inclusive and engaged Europe. A more competitive Europe will specifically look at issues related to energy, and the digital single market will see us work on telecoms reforms. However, on the geopolitical level the Latvian Presidency will be in a strong position to use its ties to former Soviet countries to ensure that Putin is prevented from attempting to pursue imperial ambitions amongst the former Soviet bloc. Latvia’s position and history will represent a good opportunity for the EU at this critical time.

“We also want to see the EU more open to the world, which means pursuing our work on free trade agreements with democratic and open market economies like Canada and Singapore, and to continue work on TTIP with the USA. The Latvian Presidency is right to put effort behind improving TTIP’s image and to highlight its positive elements, in opposition to scaremongering from the far left.”

“I am very proud that Latvia is taking over the Presidency and I hope it will be a big success for Latvia and for Europe.”