On 30 April 2024 in Brussels, Belgium, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, took part in the informal meeting of the General Affairs Council of the European Union (EU), at which Ministers discussed the future of the EU in preparations for the accession of new Member States.
The Foreign Minister noted in a discussion that the EU’s existence is rooted in the rule of law, which is a prerequisite for public support and trust at the national and EU level. Therefore, upholding and strengthening the rule of law is important both in the current composition of the EU and during the enlargement process.
“Latvia supports strengthening the rule of law through the use of all the mechanisms available,” the Foreign Minister underlined.
At the same time, Baiba Braže pointed out that, in the context of the future of the EU, it will be important, alongside the rule of law and EU values, to agree on the future of EU policies and the EU’s next multiannual financial framework.
“In order to maintain the existing level of EU ambition and prepare both for future challenges and for possible EU enlargement, discussions will be needed on the scope of the next multiannual budget,” Baiba Braže said.
At the meeting, the Ministers of EU Member States had an exchange with partners with a European perspective on reforms in the field of the rule of law. The participants of the meeting also celebrated the 20th anniversary since the largest EU enlargement on 1 May 2004, when Latvia joined the EU alongside with Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Malta and Cyprus.
