H.E. Dr. Gints Apals:

I thank the Chairman and distinguished members of the committee, excellencies, ladies and gentlemen. Three weeks have passed since the official launch of the Latvian Presidency of the EU Council. These days have been marked by intensive consultation with all the actors concerned, namely, EU member states, EU institutions, parliamentarians, various non-governmental structures and external partners. The tragic acts of terror in Paris have shocked European citizens who are rightly awaiting an adequate response. The economic, social and political situations in several EU countries remain challenging. Also, the external environment remains rather difficult. Conflicts in Ukraine and in the Middle East continue and the Ebola problem has not disappeared. It is no wonder that President Tusk, when meeting my Prime Minister some ten days ago, said that the Latvian Presidency had started in a rather difficult situation. Nevertheless, my government is very conscious of this fact, Latvian institutions are well prepared for the challenges to come and we are determined to be as dynamic as the situation requires, both internally and externally.

Before presenting the priorities of the Latvian Presidency I would like to remind the committee that the functioning of the EU is a well co-ordinated process. The Latvian Presidency intends to work in full conformity with the provisions of the Lisbon treaty respecting the competencies and prerogatives of the EU institutions, other member states and all the partners concerned.

As the holder of the Presidency, Latvia will ensure that the Council plays its part to facilitate achieving the ambitious goals set out in the June 2014 European Council strategic agenda for the Union in times of change. The priorities of the Latvian Presidency have been developed over the past year, in close consultation with members of the trio, namely, Italy, Luxembourg, the European institutions, member states and other partners. The priorities I present today are essentially the result of Latvia's and the trio’s 18-month work programme. Naturally, the Presidency has paid due attention to the priorities of President Juncker, announced last summer, and the work programme of the Commission for the year 2015.

It is our collective task to develop a Union built on shared values of peace, freedom, democracy, human rights, the rule of law and solidarity. Europe must be a source of inspiration, not only for Europeans, but also for societies beyond our frontiers. Latvia’s commitment to strengthening the EU, its institutions and its policies is rooted in these common values, the preservation of European identity and an acknowledgment of a shared European future. It goes without saying that under these circumstances, Europe should work more efficiently to ensure the safety of its citizens and to contribute to peace and prosperity within and beyond its borders.

My government is fully aware of the fact that European citizens expect improvements in the functioning of the EU. To meet their expectations the Presidency is fully committed to strengthening the decision-making process within the EU and to improving inter-institutional co-operation within the existing treaties.

The Latvian Presidency has two broad major objectives. The first is to steer the work of all relevant Council formations in order to fully overcome the economic and financial crisis. I remind the committee that there are approximately 1,500 meetings of various committees, working parties and working groups in Brussels and Luxembourg, plus approximately 200 meetings to be held in Riga over the next six months.

In order to achieve these two major objectives, the Presidency intends to focus on three main themes, namely, competitive Europe, digital Europe and engaged Europe.
The priority of competitive Europe is based on our understanding that Europe needs to enhance its economic capacity by promoting investment in new and competitive products and services. Only by developing competitive industry and service sectors can Europe facilitate job creation and thus also promote social cohesion. Based on Latvia's experience, we know that this is possible through efficient structural reforms and growth-stimulating investment measures. Hence, Latvia is committed to fast-tracking at the Council procedures relating to the investment plan for Europe that are aimed at unlocking public and private investment in the real economy. The Presidency will also continue work on the reduction of administrative obstacles and the continued development of the Single Market in order to enhance economic activity through the EU. This will allow Europe to truly benefit from the multiplication effect of investment. The Presidency is fully committed to facilitating the well co-ordinated and efficient conduct of the European semester, based on the goals of the renewed Strategy Europe 2020, and will work to ensure that the Council plays its role in the multilateral process. The Presidency welcomes the Commission's ideas for a more streamlined European Semester process to secure the proper involvement of all member states, national parliaments and stakeholders in the discussions on country specific recommendations.
The Presidency will prioritise work on strengthening the Single Market through swift progress on the remaining Single Market Act II proposals, while maintaining and promoting the four freedoms. The Presidency intends to launch discussions on the expected Internal Market strategy for goods and services, thereby contributing to enhancing the competitiveness of industry and related service sectors. The Presidency's guiding principle will be better regulation and the wider use of competitiveness proofing. More efficient and targeted regulation means focusing human and financial resources towards the main objectives of growth, jobs and competitiveness.
The need to establish an energy union has been evident for many years and the EU must make this vision a reality. We are of the view that there needs to be an energy policy built on solidarity, trust and security. The entire Union would benefit from a better integrated energy infrastructure grid and improved governance in the sector. The EU also needs solid energy diplomacy vis-à-visits external suppliers, increased use of renewables and better implementation of energy efficiency measures already agreed.
On the second of its priorities, the Presidency's priority is the development of a true digital Europe through devoting permanent attention to building trust in the digital Single Market, digitalisation of the public sector and increasing safety and security in the digital environment. Streamlined and enhanced use of digital capacities must continue. The Presidency will seek to conclude negotiations and reach an agreement on legislative proposals currently under discussion. It will also focus on building a stronger and more coherent data protection framework. Seeking agreement on the general data protection regulation and directive is one of our immediate tasks. Safety, in its widest sense, will also be enhanced through the implementation of the cyber security strategy and by finalising negotiations on the network and information security directive. The Presidency is looking forward to the timely publication of the digital Single Market strategy. We will hold proper discussions at the Council, as well as making use of informal events, for this purpose.

The Presidency will also seek an overall compromise on the telecommunications market package. The guiding principle will be to find a balance between high quality services and a reasonable cost for consumers. Sufficient attention will be devoted also to aspects of inter-operability, web accessibility and the digital transformation of the public sector to make it efficient and innovative.

The third major priority area for the Latvian Presidency is "engaged Europe". Since the adoption of the European security strategy in 2003, the EU has strived to assume a full and active role on the global stage. Now facing similar conflicts on our doorstep, the situation in the neighbourhood is even more challenging than previously. Therefore, Latvia will support the efforts of the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and will work closely with the European External Action Service. The European neighbourhood policy, ENP, comprising its eastern and southern dimensions, is a policy of continuous engagement and is a priority of EU external relations, beyond the priorities of the Latvian Presidency. The member states have agreed that the ENP should be strengthened through a comprehensive review process. During the Riga Eastern Partnership summit, to be held in May this year, we will send a strong signal reaffirming our long-term strategic support for this initiative. The ENP review process should allow the EU to develop more flexible and inclusive approaches to all its partner countries based on differentiation and the well-known more-for-more principle, emphasising joint ownership of the initiative.

The EU's external engagement also includes a commitment towards a stronger transatlantic partnership, notably by making every effort to conclude negotiations on an ambitious, comprehensive and mutually beneficial transatlantic trade and investment partnership, TTIP, agreement by the end of 2015. Enhancing relations with other strategic partners is equally important for the Presidency. The Presidency looks forward to the conclusion of the EU-Canada comprehensive economic and trade agreement talks and the advancement of the EU-Japan free trade agreement negotiations. We also support the early conclusion and implementation of the deep and comprehensive free trade agreements, DCFTAs, with countries such as Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.

Latvia also looks forward to the review of the EU-central Asia strategy. EU engagement with that region can be enhanced by discussions on security, border management, energy supply, and educational exchange, while keeping civil society interests and human rights high on the agenda.

This year offers a unique opportunity to promote an ambitious, transformative and inclusive post-2015 development agenda. The EU is entering a new phase of intergovernmental negotiations on the follow-up process to the sustainable development goals and financing for development. The Presidency wishes to highlight gender equality and women's empowerment as a thematic issue for development co-operation during the first semester of this year.

The Presidency is fully committed to the EU enlargement policy as agreed by all member states several years ago. We believe that this process contributes significantly to the mutual benefits of peace, democracy, security and prosperity in Europe.

Before concluding I wish to quote the President of the Commission, Mr. Juncker. Speaking at the European Parliament on 14 January he said: "The Latvian Presidency is the symbol of reconciliation in the history of the EU. Thirty years ago no-one could have imagined this." President Juncker added that Latvia has succeeded in changing the course of history.

My compatriots and my colleagues in the capital take his words as inspiration and encouragement. Needless to say, this also fully applies to the Latvian embassy in Dublin.

Let me assure all the Members of the Dáil and Seanad that the Latvian Government will do its best to implement the priorities mentioned and spare no effort to promote the values and principles of the Union in a changing world. As was said a few days ago by the Prime Minister, Ms Laimdota Straujuma: "Our objective is to defend the European values, a space of freedom, security, justice and mutual tolerance, characterising Europe in the world." I thank the committee.