On 26 January, President Edgars Rinkēvičs met with Ilze Juhansone, Secretary-General of the European Commission, at the Riga Castle. The parties discussed the European Commission’s vision for the European Union’s (EU) Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028–2034, EU support for military mobility projects to strengthen the country’s eastern border, the implementation of a stricter EU migration policy, and EU enlargement.
The President stated that the next EU multiannual budget must ensure a level playing field for all EU farmers and provide sufficient funding for security and defence, including additional support for countries on the EU's eastern border. “Latvia stands for ensuring equal competitive conditions for all farmers in the European Union. The new EU multiannual budget must allocate funding for the implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy and for the equalisation of direct payments. Given the threats posed by Russia and Belarus and other security challenges, it is essential to earmark sufficient funding for security and defence, including additional support for EU eastern border states,” emphasised E. Rinkēvičs.
The President noted Latvia’s contribution to strengthening the EU’s eastern border and combating illegal migration. E. Rinkēvičs called on the EU to implement a strict migration policy and advocated for enhanced control of the EU’s external border and restrictions on migration flows.
When discussing EU enlargement, President Rinkēvičs expressed support for the European integration of Ukraine, Moldova, and the Western Balkans.
