EC offers Latvia eight chapters in EU talks

RIGA/VILNIUS (BNS) - The European Commission has offered to open eight new chapters of negotiations for Latvia in the next stage of the European Union pre-accession talks.

The same offer was made to Lithuania and Slovakia, while Malta was offered nine chapters, Bulgaria five and Romania four, the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry said July 6.

Latvia has been offered to begin negotiations about free movement of services, free movement of capital, business legislation, fishing industry, industrial policies, transportation policies, economic and monetary union as well as consumer and health protection. Latvian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Liga Bergmane, said that so far the offer was unofficial and the formal approval of the decision could be expected next week.

Latvian Foreign Minister, Indulis Berzins, said earlier that Latvia hoped to conclude pre-accession talks during Belgium's term in EU presidency by the second half of 2001 at the latest. At present, Latvia has completed negotiations in five chapters and continues the discussion of three more chapters.