Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union Results of the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the EU closer global family stronger economy road more digitalised society world with less poverty Putting people first Europe for its citizens wider response to migratory pressures simpler life more sustainable and greener world Valsts kanceleja, 2015
stronger economy Setting up the European fund for strategic investments (EFSI) 8 billion of public money is transformed into 315 billion in investments 9 trilogues, of which the longest one lasted 12,5 hours (from 19:30 pm to 8:00 am) Increasing advance payments for the youth employment initiative Improving economic recovery by making crossborder insolvency proceedings more efficient Preserving EU funds for growth and jobs Promoting interoperability in the European railway area and reinforcing rail safety 18 working group Improving conditions for businesses to innovate, benefitting from more effective trade mark protection against counterfeits 168 days between the publication of the proposal and signing it into law Protecting deposits from excessively risky trading activities through Banking Structural Reform more digitalised society Ensuring a modern data protection framework a single set of rules the right to be forgotten Abolishing roaming fees and agreed rules on open internet access Ensuring a more secure and trustworthy digital environment throughout the EU Open science for wider innovation data portability 45 working group joint liability of data processers
closer global family Summit Trade Civil Society Conference Re-affirming ties with the Eastern countries Business Forum Youth forum Media conference Digital economy Providing additional 1.8 billion in macrofinancial assistance to Ukraine bringing total to 3.4 billion Agriculture Justice and Home Affairs Other Eastern Health Enhanced relations with the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States at the ACP Maintaining ties with Asia Enhancing EU-Latin American relations at CELAC summit Launching debate on strategic communication Enhancing Transatlantic relations EU-US JHA with declaration EU-US agreement on reinsurance Transatlantic Trade and Investment facilitating debate on Investor- State-Dispute- Settlement simpler life Improving access to consular services in third states where own country is not diplomatically represented Ensuring new protection to consumers, who book packagedeal holidays Capping fees for card-based payments
road Ensuring the use of and greener lorries Setting up an e-call emergency system for roads Enhancing traceability of traffic offenders More sustainable and greener world Preparing for the international climate diplomacy negotiations by adopting the Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) of the EU Reducing air polluting emissions from combustion plants Commitment to the Climate target of not exceeding a 2 degree change Establishing a Market Stability Reserve for fighting against climate change and paving the way for the reform of the EU greenhouse gas emission trading scheme Preparing the transition to advanced biofuels Removing obstacles to production of organics, improving reliability of bio-labelling
Europe for its citizens Renewing the Internal Security Strategy Strengthening rules to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing Implementing the joint statement on countering terrorism Set-up of a Europol unit for the removal of radicalising websites Stricter arms control Reinforced exchange of information in the Member States Systematic EU external border checks World with less poverty Building the EU position on the Post-2015 Development Agenda and Financing for development Hosting the European Year for Development Organising international gender conference on women s empowerment and sustainable development wider response to migratory pressures Initiating the debate on relocation and resettlement of refugees and people in need of protection Defining a roadmap on migration Increasing capacity of the search and rescue mission Triton Renewing efforts on readmission agreements and return policy Launching a CSDP mission in response to the smuggling of people
Media attention 5 710 TV reports were produced on the Latvian Presidency by 142 television channels only on the basis of free-for-all Europe by Satellite content. Additional attention through countless written newspaper articles, radio emissions, blog posts, tweets. More than 800 foreign journalists from over 40 countries visited Latvia for Presidency. Journalist attendance at Presidency exceeded 1880 visits. 181 days of Presidency What it takes to get it done 1739 46 Debates in European Parliament on EU policy 156 25 197 1250 work days 606 public outreach days of rest 831 225 cultural in Latvia public diplomacy in 76 countries 130 63 concerts exhibitions 32 other 1496 Meetings in Brussels Council preparatory 43 Council chaired by Presidency 203 trilogue with Parliament and Commission
Joint of the Eastern Summit Joint Statement on Counter-Terrorism following the informal meeting of Justice and Home Affairs Ministers in on 29 and 30 January taking centre stage Towards the EU Urban Agenda on e-inclusion on Freedom of Media (UNESCO) on remotely piloted aircraft (drones) Process on the Energy Union NGO Forum and the Roadmap statement on enhancing transatlantic cooperation in the area of Justice, Freedom and Security of the 3rd ASEM Transport Ministers Meeting on the Development of Euro-Asia Multimodal Transport Connectivity on e-skills and jobs Joint on Tuberculosis and its Multi-Drug Resistance Conclusions 2015 on a new set of Mediumterm deliverables in the field of vocational education and training for the period 2015-2020