22/11/2000: EPP-ED Bureau meets 7-8 December in Riga: the largest political Group of the European Parliament highlights Latvia's readiness for EU

 Programme

The Bureau of the Group of the European People's Party and European Democrats (EPP-ED) will hold its meeting in Riga from 7 to 8 December 2000 under the presidency of Dr. Hans-Gert POETTERING (CDU, Germany). The EPP-ED is the largest political group in the European Parliament with its 233 members from all 15 Member States.

The meeting is specially dedicated to examine Latvia's readiness for the forthcoming membership in the European Union. During the two-day meeting the Bureau will hold debates on specific themes such as the economic, political, and social situation in Latvia, Latvia's candidacy for the EU and Latvia's relations with Russia and the challenge of the integration of minorities.

Several members of Latvia's Government as well as senior officers from different agencies will address the meeting, among them Mr. Gundars BERZINS, Minister of Finance, Mr. Aigards KALVITIS, Minister of Economy, Mr. Mareks SEKLINS, Minister of Interior, Mr. Helmut ANCANS, Head of Monetary policy department of central Bank, Mr. Edvards KUSNERS, Head of European Integration Bureau, Mr. Günter WEISS, Head of the European Commission's delegation and Mr. Reinis ABOLTINS, Advisor to the Latvian Naturalization Board. Viewpoints of the Latvia's People's Party are presented by Mr. Andris SKELE, Chairman of the Party, Mrs. Vineta MUIZNIECE, Chairman of the Parliamentary Group, Mrs. Helena DEMAKOVA, MP and Mr. Rihard PIKS, Vice-President of the Saeimas.

Press Conference: Immediately after the meeting, on Friday 8 December at 12.30 Chairman of the EPP-ED Group, Hans-Gert POETTERING will give a Press Conference with his colleagues in Radisson SAS Hotel, 24, Kugu Street, where also the Bureau meeting itself will take place.

Photo call: Photos and filming cameras are welcomed to follow the opening session and speeches of Mr. POETTERING and Mr. SKELE on Thursday 7 December at 15.00 in SAS Radisson Hotel.


For further information: Mr. Jari Erholm, EPP-ED Press Service, phone: +32 2 2843238 or gsm +32 475 493340 or Ms. Iveta Uzule, People's Party of Latvia, (371) 708 71 16 or gsm (371) 91 01 329.