The interests of the member states of the European Union (EU) can only be effectively protected by a strong EU; therefore, all effort has to be aimed at strengthening the EU. This was emphasised by Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, Chairperson of the European Affairs Committee of the Saeima, at the Meeting of the Chairpersons of the Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs of Parliaments of the European Union (COSAC), which took place this week in Dublin, the capital of Ireland.

“Only a stable European Union will ensure Europe’s competitiveness on the global stage and effectively protect the interests of its member states, including economic, financial, environmental and defence interests; therefore, the euro area and the EU at large must be strengthened. That also includes a discussion on the future of the Economic and Monetary Union,” Kalniņa-Lukaševica said.

During the meeting, the Chairperson of the European Affairs Committee of the Saeima also stressed the necessity to enhance the role of national parliaments in the EU decision-making process, thus enhancing its democratic legitimacy. “The Latvian Parliament is committed to take an active part in the discussions and decision making concerning the EU’s future. I am convinced that also in the even more closely integrated EU, the member states’ national parliaments should have a central role in maintaining democratic legitimacy,” said Kalniņa-Lukaševica.

“In the beginning of last year, Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council, said that perhaps not formally but at least politically all national parliaments have, in a sense, become European institutions. I am convinced that he was right. However, the role of national parliaments should also be recognised formally,” she underlined.

On 27-28 January Kalniņa-Lukaševica visited Ireland, where she participated in the semi-annual COSAC meeting organised by the presiding country of the Council of the EU. The meeting’s agenda was focused on the priorities of Ireland’s presidency and the future of Europe on its way towards a genuine economic and monetary union.



Saeima Press Service