Silina opens talks with ministers on implementation of the government's priorities this year

RIGA - This week, Prime Minister Evika Silina (New Unity) will begin individual discussions with ministers on the implementation of the government's priorities for this year, as well as on the progress made so far, the State Chancellery informed LETA.

Silina has identified security, support for families, economic growth and reducing bureaucracy, making public administration closer to the people, as the priorities of the government in 2025. These priorities had already been outlined publicly by the prime minister.

The prime minister stressed that national security remains the government's top priority, as it affects all other areas. She stresses the need to implement the Eastern Border Development Plan this year, to join the European energy network and disconnect Latvia from the Russian energy system, the so-called BRELL network, and to further strengthen defense capabilities, including against various hybrid warfare threats, together with other EU and NATO countries.

In addition, the prime minister said that her own priority when she joined the government was to support families, which, she said, meant not only benefits but also access to health services, kindergartens from the age of one, improving the quality of education and developing sports for children and young people, promoting a healthy lifestyle.

The prime minister pointed out that to support economic growth, this year there will be quite a lot of European funding money available, which should be used to boost business innovation and productivity so that we can increase exports. The prime minister also said that new ways of raising finance must be created - by listing state-owned companies on the stock exchange and by setting up regional credit unions. "Human capital development is crucial, where we need to find new ways to promote the provision of skills that employers need," said Silina.

As for the fourth priority, Silina underlined that the reduction of bureaucracy in the public administration, which started last year, will be continued this year with even higher priority, easing the administrative burden and making the work of public institutions closer to the people.

"Last year, significant changes were already made in the field of real estate development, finance, agriculture and taxation," said the prime minister, adding that the government is not stopping there and this year will continue to find new ways to make it easier for citizens and businesses, including international investors, to deal with the public administration.

She also pointed out that the government will this year look at options for transferring public administration functions to the private sector.