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On Wednesday, 14 September, the European Affairs Committee of the Saeima met with Jerzy Marek Nowakowski, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Poland to the Republic of Latvia. During the meeting, MPs declared that Latvia supports the priorities of the Polish presidency of the European Union (EU) and hopes for progress in negotiations on issues that are critical to our country, namely, direct payments and Cohesion Policy.

“Poland has very successfully begun its half year of presidency during which the most important issue will be the distribution of funds in the new multi-annual financial framework of the European Union,” noted Imants Lieģis, Chairman of the Committee. He expressed gratification that the Polish presidency is paying considerable attention to the Common Agricultural Policy and Cohesion Policy of the EU.

“The Latvian parliament has expressed its stance at a very early stage; therefore, our priorities with regard to negotiating the multi-annual financial framework of the European Union are clearly defined,” said Lieģis. He also mentioned that Latvia’s position on these important issues is based on statements adopted by the Saeima on 14 July. They call on the EU to devise an equitable common agricultural policy so that farmers from all the member states receive the same direct payments; they also call on the EU to maintain the existing level of cohesion funding in order not to jeopardise implementation of successfully launched investment programmes. 

The Ambassador outlined the main priority areas of the Polish presidency, namely, sustainable development of the EU, including discussions on the new multi-annual financial framework; a more secure EU, including energy security and food security; as well as the enlargement of the EU and its relations with the neighbouring countries, including the Eastern Partnership initiative.

One of Poland’s priorities is to eliminate double standards in the EU’s policies; therefore, Poland supports the idea of equitable direct payments, emphasised Ambassador Nowakowski. Nevertheless, he acknowledged that even though Poland strongly advocates equal direct payments to farmers of all the member states, Poland, as the country presiding over the EU, must seek a compromise on this issue on which all member states can agree.

Photos from the meeting are available at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/saeima/sets/72157627543059443/with/6145986423/
Video from the meeting is available at: https://www.youtube.com/saeimaSAB#p/a/u/0/7-LV5Lx4nik
When using the material, please give credit to the Saeima.

Saeima Press Service