UK-Latvia: partnership in the EU

Since 1 May 2004 Latvia and the UK have been partners in the European Union, and the partnership is central to the relations between our countries. An important period of intense co-operation was between July-December 2005, while the UK held the EU presidency and achieved agreement on the future financing period for the EU for 2007-2013, resulting in an allocation of more than 4 billion euros for Latvia.

Work of the Embassy on the EU

More than 70 per cent of overall Embassy activity is connected with EU related issues, involving the Political, the UK Trade and Investment and Press and Public Diplomacy sections. The Embassy’s Political section promotes the bilateral relationship between the UK and Latvia. In the Embassy's business plan for this year the main focus is on working with Latvia towards building a low-carbon, high growth economy in Europe.

Projects with an EU focus

In 2007-2008 the Embassy maintains some project activity, which reflects EU values and priorities, in particular in the areas of energy security, climate change,supporting equal opportunities and inclusive society.

Historical aspect

Historically, the United Kingdom joined the EU in 1973. The UK has been a champion of enlargement since the early days, when countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the Baltic States announced their intention to join the EU. During the pre-accession process, the UK supported Latvia in many areas, in particular, on public administration reform, court reform and rural development.

Find out more about Britain’s relations with the EU.

How Britain has benefited from EU membership: