Latvia and Estonia agree on joint position on EU budget

Nov 09, 2012

Andrus Ansip, Toomas Hendrik Ilves and Andris Berzins at the reception hosted by the ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the Republic of Latvia, Karlis Eihenbaums, in honor of the Independence Day of the Republic of Latvia.

RIGA - At a meeting in Estonia yesterday, Latvian President Andris Berzins and Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves were of the same opinion on all the key matters that dealt with the European Union's multiannual budget, President's Press Office informed LETA.

Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite had also expressed a similar opinion in communication with Berzins previously, therefore during his visit to Brussels on Nov. 12 -13 Berzins will represent all three countries when talks will be held about the EU multiannual budget.

Berzins and Ilves agreed that the Baltic countries would pursue their joint goals in talks on the EU cohesion policy and direct payments to farmers.

Latvia has fulfilled the Maastricht criteria and meets all the other criteria for joining the euro area, Berzins told Ilves, who expressed support for Latvia's move to the eurozone.

The presidents also discussed Visaginas nuclear power plant project, agreeing that the new Lithuanian government would have to express its opinion about the project.

Latvian President also met with Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip and discussed the Baltic countries' joint stance on the European Union's multi-annual budget.

The sides were of the same opinion that all matters important for the Baltic States are of equal significance and cannot be altered or replace each other during the talks, LETA was informed by the Presidential Press Service.

Berzins and Ansip discussed the latest regional developments in energy and agreed that the price of energy resources and benefit for consumers should be the main factor when supporting energy projects.

The officials also emphasized the necessity for closer Baltic cooperation in education, especially in higher education.

As reported, Berzins yesterday opened Latvijas Finieris subsidiary Kohila Vineer plywood production facility in Kohila and visited Estonian Museum of Art.

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