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3rd EU âÀ“ Latvia Association Committee Joint press release Brussels, 16 June 2000 The 3rd meeting of the EU-Latvia Association Committee took place in Brussels on 16 June 2000. This Committee was set up under the EU-Latvia Europe Agreement, which entered into force in 1998, and comprises representatives from the European Commission, the EU Member States and the Latvian Government. Its purpose is to review all aspects of EU-Latvia relations and to prepare for the ministerial level Association Council which also meets once a year. The Delegations were headed respectively by Mr. Camós Grau, Team leader of the Latvia Team in the European Commission, and Mr. Andris Kesteris, Under-secretary of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia. The meeting focused on Latvia's preparation for accession and specifically on the implementation of Latvia's Accession Partnership, which sets out priorities for these preparations. The EU side welcomed substantial progress made by Latvia in preparations for accession. The discussions covered a wide range of issues including preparations for implementation of the Latvian Language Law, Latvia's National Programme ?The Integration of Society?, which the EU Delegation considered an important step, Public Administration Reform, and bilateral trade developments. The EU side noted Latvia's efforts to align with EC legislation in key areas such as Public Procurement, Copyrights, Data Protection, Company Law, as well as in alignment of technical regulations and standards and preparations for improved supervision of Financial and Capital Markets. The EU Delegation appreciated Latvia's considerable efforts to bring its legislation in conformity with the obligations stemming from the Europe Agreement, in particular in eliminating the last remaining restrictions for foreign investments in several sectors. However, it also stressed the need for further progress in the implementation of Public Administration Reform with a view to preparing the Latvian administration for EU membership. In this context, the EU Delegation also underlined that in order to make the most efficient use of Community assistance in preparation for EU membership, the Latvian authorities in charge of managing the pre-accession instruments (Phare, ISPA, SAPARD) needed significant strengthening. The Delegations reviewed the progress of economic reforms in Latvia, including measures taken to promote competitiveness and to simplify the business environment as well as privatisation and the investment climate. In this context, both Delegations noted further deepening of bilateral cooperation and looked at how to further improve trade relations. The Delegations welcomed successful outcome of the agricultural trade liberalisation negotiations and advancement in PECA negotiations. Both Delegations recognised the need to continue working together within the framework of the Europe Agreement. (end of text)
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