The Latvian EU Presidency priorities
On 1 January, Latvia took over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which it will hold for the next six months. During his briefing to the European Parliament earlier this month, Donald Tusk, the President of the European Council, sketched out two main priorities for the new Presidency: the situation at the EU’s Eastern borders with Ukraine and Russia and boosting investment, growth and jobs.
With social, economic and territorial challenges to tackle, the Latvian Presidency sets an agenda for a competitive, digital and engaged Europe, which promises to bring Europe back to economic growth, facilitate investment, deliver on jobs and achieve social cohesion, while deepening the Economic, Energy and Digital Union.
Europe 2020
During the fifth cycle of the European Semester, the Latvian Presidency will be devoted to the Europe 2020 strategy targets, aiming for inclusive growth and social cohesion. A special focus will be placed on inclusive and sustainable labour market participation, with increased attention being paid to job quality and long-term unemployment, the situation of young people and persons with disabilities, as well as the fundamental value of a healthy lifestyle. The Presidency will emphasise the role of social dialogue to strengthening the social dimension of the Economic and Monetary Union.
Social policies
Supporting social protection policies is also on the agenda, and the Presidency will organise a conference in June on deinstitutionalisation practices and the further development of social care policy in Europe, and a meeting of the EU’s Mutual information System on Social Protection in May. On disability, the presidency will contribute to the implementation of the EU Disability Strategy (2010-2020) with a meeting focusing on the rights of children with disabilities and labour market participation in May; it will also continue working on a Directive on equal treatment, irrespective of religion or belief, age, sexual orientation or disability.
Education and youth
In the area of education and youth, the Presidency will support the use of new digital technologies in education and culture. There will be a renewed focus on developing a link between the Europe 2020 Strategy and the Strategic Framework for education and training 2020, with special emphasis on the role that education and training can play in promoting smart and inclusive growth. A cross-sector approach to the implementation of the EU Work Plan for Youth 2014-15 will also be a priority.
Healthcare
The individual-centred, multi-sector vision of healthcare that the Latvian Presidency will promote involves innovative approaches to education and modern technologies that empower the individual to lead a healthy lifestyle from early childhood, and the patient to receive better quality healthcare at the treatment phase. The eHealth week in May will follow up February’s conference for the promotion of a healthy lifestyle and a joint meeting with chief executives of public healthcare services, with a special attention to health at work and the integration of healthcare and public services.
The European Social Network (ESN) welcomes the social priorities of the Latvian Presidency, which we will be following closely over the next six months. Particularly, social policy reform and service integration across health, social and other sectors will be of interest to our members, as they will be our main working themes throughout the year in a number of ESN projects, working groups and a seminar.
Resources
Priorities and Programme of the Latvian Presidency at a glance
Full Programme of the Latvian Presidency
How does the Latvian Presidency agenda compare to previous presidencies?