Europe Week 2003 in Latvia | 
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Today Ainars Dimants, President of the European Movement - Latvia; Andrew Rasbash, Head of the European Commission Delegation in Latvia; and Ramona Umblija, Head of the Management Group "Latvia in Europe" responsible for the pre-referendum information campaign on the European Union in Latvia are officially opening Europe Week 2003 with a special press conference. Europe Week events are scheduled for the period beginning Monday 5 May through to Saturday 10 May, with the final event "Europe in the Very Heart of Riga" being held in Vermanes Park in Riga.
This is the sixth consecutive year Europe Week is being held in Latvia. The week incorporates Europe Day on 9 May, which commemorates the declaration made by Robert Schuman in 1950, regarded as marking the start of European integration. The first Europe Day was organised in 1986 to commemorate the centenary of Robert Schuman.
Europe Week in Latvia is organised by the Club Maja (House) - Youth for United Europe and European Movement - Latvia, in collaboration with the European Integration Bureau, the Management Group "Latvia in Europe" and other public administration institutions, as well as the European Commission Delegation in Latvia, the EU Information Centre, regional EU information offices, local governments, educational institutions and many other organisations.
The logo of Europe Week 2003 is the EuroBus, symbolising that the aim of Europe Week is to bring information about Latvia's integration into the European Union as close as possible to every resident of Latvia. During Europe Week this bus will visit the districts of Aizkraukle, Jekabpils, Daugavpils, Kraslava, Liepaja, Madona, Valmiera, Ventspils, Rezekne and Cesis. The EuroBuses will be providing extensive published information on the EU, as well as the opportunity to meet experts on EU issues.
The events of Europe Week include a variety of activities, such as information stands, discussions, meetings, workshops, contests, exhibitions, and EuroBus visits. It should be noted that all Europe Week events are free of charge and open to all.
If additional information on Europe Week events is required, the Europe Week Coordination Centre can be contacted by phone on 7212611. Event schedules are available on the websites of the European Integration Bureau www.eib.gov.lv, the EU Information Centre www.eiropainfo.lv, the European Movement - Latvia www.eiropaskustiba.lv and Club Maja (House) - Youth for United Europe www.klubsmaja.lv.
For additional information call:
Ieva Balode,
Project Manager of the European Integration Bureau
7505033
