Report of the Latvian Europarliamentarians on the 4 th Work Year
The European Parliament's office in Latvia, in cooperation with Members of the European Parliament (EP), prepared a traditional report on the most important work done IN THE EP committees in which they are working. The reference period is the 4 th year of this (eighth) EP. Meps also pointed out what they were going to do for Latvia.
INFOGRAPHIC: Latvian Europarliamentarians report on year 4 (pdf 756KB)
Here are meps' reports on the work in the European Parliament in the first, in the second and in the Third a year.
! Next year, a 5-year term of office of this EP will be concluded. The next elections to the European Parliament will be held in Latvia on 25 May 2019. PLAN! www.soreizesbalsosu.eu #EE2019
Currently, the European Parliament has 25 committees: 22 permanent and 3 specifically established: Special Committee on Financial Crime, Tax avoidance and Tax avoidance (TAX3), Special Committee on Terrorism (TERR) and Special Committee on Pest Authorisation (PEST). Latvian 8-euro parliamentarians work in 14 of them.
! Next year, a 5-year term of office of this EP will be concluded. The next elections to the European Parliament will be held in Latvia on 25 May 2019. PLAN! www.soreizesbalsosu.eu #EE2019
Currently, the European Parliament has 25 committees: 22 permanent and 3 specifically established: Special Committee on Financial Crime, Tax avoidance and Tax avoidance (TAX3), Special Committee on Terrorism (TERR) and Special Committee on Pest Authorisation (PEST). Latvian 8-euro parliamentarians work in 14 of them.
Sandra Kalniete, Ep Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) and Agriculture and Rural Development (EARLY)
Performance: The policy of the largest EP political group (European People's Party (Christian Democrats)/ETPs (EPP)) ON EU relations with Russia is being developed, leading to the development of an analogous EP report. As a vice-president OF THE ETP/EPP, the political groups were involved in shaping the policy strategy. Supported European solutions for protection against hybrid threats, disinformation and Kremlin propaganda. Defending the position of Belarusian and Polish meps in the proposal for a Common Agricultural Policy for 2021-2027.
Benefits for Latvia: Greater stability in our region. Greater influence of Latvia on European-level decisions. Greater resilience to hybrid threats and populism. Limited negative impact on aid to farmers.
Krišjānis Karins, EP Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE), Economic and Monetary (ECON) Committee and special committee on financial crime, tax evasion and tax avoidance (TAX3)
Performance: A European Law on the limitation of money laundering has been prepared and adopted. THE EP's support for the legislation on THE EU electricity market in the future, which foresees the abandonment of subsidies to producers, has been achieved. Support in THE EP committee for amendments to the gas directive to strengthen competition and prevent the implementation of the Nord Stream 2 project. Strengthening THE seat of BEREC * office in Riga, improved competition and monitoring OF THE EU telecoms market. There has been more funding for science by submitting amendments to the law that would provide for geographically balanced funding.
Benefits for Latvia: Limited money laundering and terrorist financing, illuminated beneficial beneficiaries for businesses and trusts. Increased competition in energy to provide consumers with lower energy prices as low as possible. The role of Latvia in European Union (EU) institutions in decision-making. Improved economic competitiveness and a fair business environment. Increased funding for the development of Latvia's economy and science in the next EU multiannual budget period.
Performance: The policy of the largest EP political group (European People's Party (Christian Democrats)/ETPs (EPP)) ON EU relations with Russia is being developed, leading to the development of an analogous EP report. As a vice-president OF THE ETP/EPP, the political groups were involved in shaping the policy strategy. Supported European solutions for protection against hybrid threats, disinformation and Kremlin propaganda. Defending the position of Belarusian and Polish meps in the proposal for a Common Agricultural Policy for 2021-2027.
Benefits for Latvia: Greater stability in our region. Greater influence of Latvia on European-level decisions. Greater resilience to hybrid threats and populism. Limited negative impact on aid to farmers.
Krišjānis Karins, EP Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE), Economic and Monetary (ECON) Committee and special committee on financial crime, tax evasion and tax avoidance (TAX3)
Performance: A European Law on the limitation of money laundering has been prepared and adopted. THE EP's support for the legislation on THE EU electricity market in the future, which foresees the abandonment of subsidies to producers, has been achieved. Support in THE EP committee for amendments to the gas directive to strengthen competition and prevent the implementation of the Nord Stream 2 project. Strengthening THE seat of BEREC * office in Riga, improved competition and monitoring OF THE EU telecoms market. There has been more funding for science by submitting amendments to the law that would provide for geographically balanced funding.
Benefits for Latvia: Limited money laundering and terrorist financing, illuminated beneficial beneficiaries for businesses and trusts. Increased competition in energy to provide consumers with lower energy prices as low as possible. The role of Latvia in European Union (EU) institutions in decision-making. Improved economic competitiveness and a fair business environment. Increased funding for the development of Latvia's economy and science in the next EU multiannual budget period.
Andrejs Mamikin, Ep Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) and Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE)
Performance: There was a new legislative instrument to promote stability and peace. The problem of non-citizenship IN THE EU has been updated. Led the EP-Belarus delegation.
Benefits for Latvia: The possibility OF EU funding of anti-terrorism military and special service activities in developing countries. There has been a discussion on this issue between the Joint Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) and Petitions (PETI) committees. Strengthened diplomatic relations between THE EU and Belarus
Miroslav Mitrofanov, EP Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) and Petitions (PETI) Committee
Performance: Worked on the Directive on accessibility requirements for products and services. Formulated recommendations for the creation of a working-life balance for the creation of favourable labour market conditions. Formulated recommendations FOR THE EU Council Decision on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States.
Benefits for Latvia: The freedom of movement of persons with disabilities or with functional restrictions on freedom of movement and the level of socialisation. The opportunity to go to “care vacation” when a family member or partner needs care. Retirement age will not be raised, but active retirement strategies will need to be developed. Guaranteed workers' rights to dignified remuneration. Programmes to overcome unemployment will be developed in the light of the requirements of new forms of employment and the new economic sectors, including the Green Economy.
Performance: There was a new legislative instrument to promote stability and peace. The problem of non-citizenship IN THE EU has been updated. Led the EP-Belarus delegation.
Benefits for Latvia: The possibility OF EU funding of anti-terrorism military and special service activities in developing countries. There has been a discussion on this issue between the Joint Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) and Petitions (PETI) committees. Strengthened diplomatic relations between THE EU and Belarus
Miroslav Mitrofanov, EP Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) and Petitions (PETI) Committee
Performance: Worked on the Directive on accessibility requirements for products and services. Formulated recommendations for the creation of a working-life balance for the creation of favourable labour market conditions. Formulated recommendations FOR THE EU Council Decision on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States.
Benefits for Latvia: The freedom of movement of persons with disabilities or with functional restrictions on freedom of movement and the level of socialisation. The opportunity to go to “care vacation” when a family member or partner needs care. Retirement age will not be raised, but active retirement strategies will need to be developed. Guaranteed workers' rights to dignified remuneration. Programmes to overcome unemployment will be developed in the light of the requirements of new forms of employment and the new economic sectors, including the Green Economy.
Artis Pabriks, EP Committee on International Trade (INTA) and Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) and Special Committee on Terrorism (TERR)
Performance: THE report of THE TERR committee includes a Member's proposal to form AN EU anti-radicalisation excellence centre. Actively worked on minority issues IN LIBE and PETI committees, defending Latvia's interests. A number of important trade agreements have been supported, such as Japan and Singapore, and the opening of negotiations with Australia and New Zealand. Worked on strengthening European borders and improving general security.
Benefits for Latvia: Latvian experts will also be able to obtain additional knowledge of the prevention of radicalisation. Rebuttal allegations of non-citizens and minorities in the Baltic States are rebutted. New opportunities for Latvian exporters. Safer EU external borders.
Inese Vaidere, EP Budget (BUDG) and Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) Committee
Performance: Worked on the 2021-2027 EU Multiannual Budget Planning, particularly funding for regional infrastructure projects. The responsible EP announced the allocation of Eur 1.17 million of Solidarity Fund to Latvia for the 2017 flood relief. Directed the position on the deployment OF alternative fuels infrastructure IN THE EU. Continues to work on the elimination of product quality differences in Eastern and Western European markets. The pilot project for strengthening the Eastern Strategic Communication Group and the fight against false news was extended.
Benefits for Latvia: Efforts to ensure that payments to Latvian cohesion policy and the agricultural sector are not reduced. Additional funds allocated to areas affected by floods. Lower transport costs, more environmentally friendly technologies, competition on the world market. In the future, the Western Europe has equivalent quality products to Latvian residents. The recognition and prevention of false news is a priority of European level.
Roberts Zīle, EP Transport and Tourism (TRAN), Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) Committee and special committee on financial crime, tax evasion and tax avoidance (TAX3)
Performance: Vice-President in the third largest EP political group (European Conservative and Reformists Group (ECR)). THE first Vice-President of THE TAX3 and the shadow rapporteur for the final report of the committee. THE EP's responsible Member of the legislative proposal on administrative cooperation IN THE field of VAT, as well as the legislative proposal relating to access to the international bus market. Rapporteur FOR the opinion on the framework for assessing foreign direct investment in the European Union.
Benefits for Latvia: A stronger representation of Latvia's interests in various matters, representing THE European Parliament's management meetings and debates. Strengthening the rule of law and fair competition between Member States so that, for example, non-originating money is “not settled” in other Member States, similar to what happened in Latvia. Support for combating cross-border VAT fraud, including in connection with car and VAT carousel schemes. Towards a truly unified and open market for PASSENGER transport IN THE EU. Better availability and quality of bus services.
Source: Information provided by Members of the European Parliament
EP Member Iveta Grigule did not provide information
* BEREC - European Regulators for Electronic Communications
Legislative process IN THE EU:
The European Parliament and THE Council of THE EU (Member States, ministers of the Member States), whose work is conducted by Austria in the second half of 2018 (in the first half of 2015), jointly adopt EU laws in many areas. These laws are then the basis for NATIONAL laws of EU countries. For example, in Latvia up to 80% law is based on EU decisions.
Although the European Commission is the only initiator of European law, the European Parliament can indicate what legislation would be desirable and ask THE EC for legislative proposals.
Source: website of the European Parliament in http://www.europarl.europa.eu/latvia/