Joint Press Release of the 5th EU - Latvia Association Committee, Brussels, 12 June 2002

The 5th meeting of the EU-Latvia Association Committee took place in Brussels on 12 June 2002. 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, Head of Unit of the Latvia Team in the European Commission, and Mr Andris Ķesteris, the Under-secretary of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia.

The meeting focused on LatviaâÀ™s preparation for accession and specifically on the implementation of LatviaâÀ™s Accession Partnership, which sets out priorities for these preparations. The EU side welcomed the good progress made by Latvia in preparations for accession.

The discussions covered a wide range of issues. Concerning the integration of non-citizens into LatviaâÀ™s society, the EU side welcomed in particular the establishment of the Society Integration Foundation as well as the abolition of the linguistic requirements in the election law. The Committee underlined the importance the EU attaches to see the process of society integration being enhanced even further.

The EU side noted with satisfaction the important steps recently taken by Latvia to align with EC legislation in many areas, including mutual recognition of professional qualifications, environment, agriculture, veterinary and phytosanitary, including food safety, fisheries, free movement of goods and technical regulations and standards as well as competition and telecommunication. The EU delegation took note of the progress made by Latvia, both in legislative and institutional terms in the fight against corruption, the reform of the judiciary, fight against money laundering and organised crime, as well as steps taken to shorten pre-trial detention, and underlined the need that the newly established institutions become effective.

The continued need to strengthen LatviaâÀ™s administration with a view to preparing it for EU membership was discussed in detail. The EU delegation also welcomed recent legislative developments related to general Public Administration Reform, including the implementation of the Civil Service Law as well as the Framework Law on Public Administration, and underlined the need to maintain the momentum, notably regarding steps for a unified pay system.

The Delegations reviewed the progress of economic reforms in Latvia, and the EU Delegation welcomed the successful macroeconomic developments as well as efforts to improve the business environment and access to finance and in the privatisation process. Particular emphasis was put on regional development and the institutional capacity necessary to prepare for implementation of Structural and Cohesion funds.

Both Delegations noted further deepening of bilateral co-operation and trade relations. The Delegations welcomed the conclusion on sectoral annexes to the Protocol on European Conformity Assessment (PECA). Both Delegations recognised the need to continue working together within the framework of the Europe Agreement.