Latvia emphasises joint political efforts on Juncker Plan

The Latvian Parliamentary State Secretary for EU Affairs has emphasised the need for close co-operation between EU member states and MEPs to ensure the quick setup of the European Fund for Strategic Investment (EFSI).

Addressing a plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels, Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica highlighted the urgency for a boost in investment in Europe. She said: “The European Fund for Strategic Investments is a top priority for the Presidency. It is essential that we strengthen economic growth and reduce unemployment in the EU. The investment package is designed to deliver on this dual goal and it is of utmost importance that the co-legislators work together as quickly as possible, to meet the ambitious deadline set by the European Council.”

The EFSI is the first pillar of the Commission’s €315bn investment plan for mobilising finance for developing new infrastructures, both knowledge and physical. The other two pillars include creating a project pipeline and providing a friendlier regulatory environment for investment.

The Latvian Council Presidency’s presentation is a follow-up to the first discussions carried out by the EU member states during the regular meetings of a special ad hoc working party and by economic and finance ministers earlier this week.