Latvia to emphasize importance of funding for eastern border region and Rail Baltica at EU General Affairs Council meeting

RIGA - At the meeting of the next EU General Affairs Council, Latvia will emphasize, during discussions on the next EU multiannual budget, the need to provide additional funding for countries along the eastern border, maintain funding for security and defense, as well as for the Connecting Europe Facility, which also funds the Rail Baltica railway project, according to an informational report prepared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), which the government reviewed on Tuesday.

During next week’s meeting in Brussels, Latvia will also host a meeting of the Friends of Cohesion Group, at which member states will discuss the progress of the multiannual budget negotiations and coordinate a joint approach to defending funding for cohesion and the common agricultural policy.

At the meeting, Ireland will present its presidency priorities. These include strengthening the EU’s competitiveness, continuing support for Ukraine, promoting security and defense, and reaching a timely agreement on the next EU multiannual budget. Latvia generally supports these priorities, according to the report.

Ministers will also discuss the simplification of EU legislation. Latvia supports reducing the administrative burden on businesses while emphasizing that new legislative initiatives must not result in additional costs. In light of geopolitical challenges, Latvia considers it a priority to strengthen the competitiveness of businesses-including those in the defense sector-both within the EU’s single market and globally.

The agenda also includes the EU Council’s conclusions on the annual rule of law dialogue. Latvia emphasizes that the rule of law, democracy, and human rights are fundamental values of the EU and supports the exchange of experiences among member states to strengthen these principles.

The meeting will take place on July 14.