Latvia's interests include money for security, military mobility, agriculture and regions in EU's multiannual budget - Silina

RIGA - It is in Latvia's interest that the European Union's (EU) multiannual budget is large enough to ensure the necessary security, military mobility, agriculture and regional development, Prime Minister Evika Silina (New Unity) told LETA, commenting on the European Commission's (EC) proposal for the EU's multiannual budget presented last week.

She noted that the negotiations on the EU's multiannual budget had only just begun and Latvia would take an active part in them. Silina pointed out that the EC proposal is a first step, but there are still long discussions ahead, as the decision is taken by all countries together.

Additional support for border areas is also important for Latvia, Silina added.

As reported, in the budget proposed last week, the EC plans to focus more on defense and competitiveness spending, as well as to find new sources of revenue and change the current criteria for allocating funds.

The defense budget is set to increase fivefold to EUR 131 billion.

The draft budget foresees the creation of a EUR 451 billion competitiveness fund to support EU investment in clean technologies, the digital economy, defense, food safety and innovation.

Up to EUR 100 billion are earmarked to support Ukraine.

The draft budget proposed by the EC will be discussed and amended by the European Parliament and agreed with Member States.

It is expected to be a long and difficult negotiation.

Latvia will also continue to argue for the preservation of the EU's equalized cohesion funding for Latvia after 2027, insist on additional support for the border countries of Russia and Belarus, and oppose the merging of cohesion and the Common Agricultural Policy into a single allocation, Finance Minister Arvils Aseradens told LETA.