OREANDA-NEWS. May 28, 2008. Ivars Godmanis, Prime Minister of the Republic of Latvia, visited Prague, capital city of the Czech Republic. He participated in a multi-lateral meeting and a working dinner hosted by Mirek Topolanek, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, within the meeting of the European Nuclear Energy Forum taking place in Prague, reported the Official website www.mk.gov.lv.

A meeting of the Czech Prime Minister and the Prime Minister of the three Baltic States took place in Prague, as well as another meeting with more participants, including the Heads of Government of the Vishegrad Group states, Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia and President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Durao Barroso. This was the first meeting at such level.

 The focus of the meetings was energy – energy security, independence and future perspectives. The main aspects addressed were reduction of CO2 emissions, increased use of renewable energy and international cooperation in the area of energy. The Heads of Government emphasised that such cooperation is needed in the area of IT and in establishing interconnections among European countries in order to promote energy independence.

Ivars Godmanis noted that „it is necessary to further discuss in what way the CO2 emission reduction targets and the targets for increasing the share of renewable energy in the total consumption of energy can be achieved. In case of any deviations from the objective, all activities should be assessed from the point of view of national energy audits and development of national economies. This should be a European-scale discussion.” The Prime Minister stressed that in Latvia the current share of renewable energy accounts for 34% but by 2020 its should be increased up to 42% which is high figure.

During the meeting of the Latvian Prime Minister and the President of the European Commission Ivars Godmanis emphasised that CO2 emission quotas is of special importance for the new EU Member States. „Today it is necessary to understand that acquisition of additional CO2 emission quotas would cause impacts on energy prices. Thus, the priorities concerning environmental protection should be considered in the context of the necessity to develop the energy sector and production,” Ivars Godmanis said.

The officials also discussed the ratification process of the Lisbon Treaty and practical matters related to the new posts. Concerning the Neighbourhood Policy, the Heads of Government paid special attention to the energy sector in relation to exchange of technical knowledge and skills and to establishment of interconnections.

During the visit Ivars Godmanis visited Latvia’s Embassy in the Czech Republic.