OREANDA-NEWS. February 10, 2014. Prime Minister Laimdota Straujuma met President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso and President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy. During the meeting, the Prime Minister outlined the priorities of the new government and emphasized that the European Commission should approve all the formalities, which are required to start the EU funds activities in Latvia, as soon as possible.

Prime Minister L.Straujuma had the first meeting with President of the EC J.M.Barroso. During the meeting, both sides discussed the current developments in the Latvian economy, incl. the situation in the country after the euro changeover, the energy policy and issues relating to education reform. Special attention was given to the EU funds issue, and both parties agreed that it is necessary to harmonize the EU funds Partnership Agreement and the Operational Program as soon as possible.

Prime Minister L.Straujuma: "This week the coalition working group agreed on the EU funds Operational Program, and it was decided to approve it already at the next government sitting in order to further submit it for approval to the European Commission. Therefore, it is essential that the European Commission approves all necessary documents as soon as possible. This will give the opportunity for entrepreneurs to launch absorption of the funds already this year".

The Prime Minister had the second meeting with President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy. The two parties discussed the current developments in the Latvian economy, incl. the euro changeover and absorption of the EU funds, the energy issues and preparations for Latvia's presidency of the Council of the European Union, as well as addressed the EU's foreign policy issues - the situation in Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova. Exchanging the views on the upcoming changes after the elections of the European Parliament, L.Straujuma noted that Latvia sees Valdis Dombrovskis as a suitable candidate in this discussion.