Latvian Presidency of the EU 2015-1

On 28 May 2015, the Council agreed on a compromise text for a draft directive aimed at creating a new status for single-member private limited liability companies.

A series of discussions on employment of the deaf persons within the project „Active for the Future" aimed at promoting the development of an inclusive labour market in the European Union is now completed with the summary of different proposals. The members of the European Commission, representatives of the government and Parliament of the Republic of Latvia, social partners and more than 120 representatives of EU public organisations of the deaf persons were engaged in the discussions.

On 28 May 2015 the Council confirmed a political agreement on the reform of the Travel Package Directive.

Latvian Presidency and the European Parliament on 28 May 2015 after lengthy discussions over 12,5 hours, turning to be the longest trialogue in the ECOFIN history, reached a provisional agreement on a regulation on a European fund for strategic investments (EFSI) aimed at stimulating the economy.

Thanks to support from the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, several Latvian cultural institutions have entered into successful cooperation with the Google Cultural Institute platform. Materials from the National Library of Latvia (NLL), the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia and the Latvian National Museum of Art (LNMA) can be viewed on this platform as a continuation of the Latvian Presidency cultural programme.

On 4 June, the 4th European Standardization Summit will take place at the National Library of Latvia in Riga as part of the official programme of the Latvian Presidency and the European Construction Week in Riga. The main topic of the Summit is how standardization can contribute to a cleaner and smarter economy in Europe focusing primarily on the construction sector and such issues as sustainable architecture and construction, energy efficiency of buildings, smart cities, and building design and management.

The European Union and Switzerland on 27 May 2015 signed an agreement on the automatic exchange of financial account information, aimed at improving international tax compliance.

The European Union and Switzerland on 27 May 2015 signed an agreement on the automatic exchange of financial account information, aimed at improving international tax compliance.

The Council on 26 May 2015 participated in a meeting with the European Parliament and the Commission to discuss the issue of the outstanding bills in the EU budget.

The Council on 26 May 2015 participated in a meeting with the European Parliament and the Commission to discuss the issue of the outstanding bills in the EU budget.

As the final rounds of negotiations with the European Parliament on the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) begin, the Presidency enters them with clear ambition and a mandate from the Council to seal the agreement this Wednesday, 27 May.

As the final rounds of negotiations with the European Parliament on the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) begin, the Presidency enters them with clear ambition and a mandate from the Council to seal the agreement this Wednesday, 27 May.

On 27-28 May under the Latvian Presidency of the EU Council, the 15th European Diplomatic Programme (EDP) organised annually by the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the rotating EU Presidency will be held in Riga in parallel with an informal meeting of the Training Directors of EU Foreign ministries.

On 27-28 May under the Latvian Presidency of the EU Council, the 15th European Diplomatic Programme (EDP) organised annually by the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the rotating EU Presidency will be held in Riga in parallel with an informal meeting of the Training Directors of EU Foreign ministries.

The Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union presents a great opportunity for Latvia to show other countries what kind of a country it really is – not by citing population figures and economic indicators, but by laying bare its soul and depicting the emotions that typify the country.  To do so, there is no more potent tool than film. As part of the Latvian EU Council Presidency cultural programme, the National Film Centre of Latvia (NKC) has thus compiled a comprehensive collection of films, ranging from the classics to contemporary masterpieces.

The Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union presents a great opportunity for Latvia to show other countries what kind of a country it really is – not by citing population figures and economic indicators, but by laying bare its soul and depicting the emotions that typify the country.  To do so, there is no more potent tool than film. As part of the Latvian EU Council Presidency cultural programme, the National Film Centre of Latvia (NKC) has thus compiled a comprehensive collection of films, ranging from the classics to contemporary masterpieces.

On 26 May the EU and Timor-Leste signed a short-stay visa waiver agreement at a ceremony that took place in Brussels. On behalf of the EU, the agreement was signed by H.E. Ilze Juhansone, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Latvia, Chairman of the Permanent Representatives Committee, and by Yolanda Gallego-Casilda Grau, Head of Unit "Visa Policy", European Commission. For Timor Leste, Roberto Sarmento de Oliveira Soares, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, signed the agreement.  

On 26 May the EU and Timor-Leste signed a short-stay visa waiver agreement at a ceremony that took place in Brussels. On behalf of the EU, the agreement was signed by H.E. Ilze Juhansone, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Latvia, Chairman of the Permanent Representatives Committee, and by Yolanda Gallego-Casilda Grau, Head of Unit "Visa Policy", European Commission. For Timor Leste, Roberto Sarmento de Oliveira Soares, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, signed the agreement.  

While working towards becoming a global leader in research and innovation, Europe has to reach and maintain an even development among all its regions. With this in focus, 400 European leaders in research and innovation – science policy-makers, researchers and business representatives – will meet in Riga from 3 to 6 June at a unique European research and innovation event – Week of Innovative Regions in Europe (WIRE 2015). Held annually since 2010, WIRE 2015 will be hosted by the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the EU.

While working towards becoming a global leader in research and innovation, Europe has to reach and maintain an even development among all its regions. With this in focus, 400 European leaders in research and innovation – science policy-makers, researchers and business representatives – will meet in Riga from 3 to 6 June at a unique European research and innovation event – Week of Innovative Regions in Europe (WIRE 2015). Held annually since 2010, WIRE 2015 will be hosted by the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the EU.