OREANDA-NEWS. February 14, 2011. Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis participated in the European Council. The focus of the agenda was on the energy issues, current economic policy issues and situation in Belarus and Egypt.

The Member States discussed the operation of the European energy market, the energy supply routes and diversification of sources, integration of all Member Sates into common EU electricity and gas infrastructure, opportunities for funding the priority projects, external aspects of the energy policy, as well as energy efficiency. Within the framework of the discussion, the Prime Minister of Latvia emphasized that the development of interconnections is particularly important for Latvia to integrate currently isolated regions into a common European energy market. Their performance capability and different situation in the Member States should be considered when setting the deadlines for attaining the objectives. Diversification of energy supplies and sources is of particular importance. Therefore, we consider that the construction of the LNG terminal in Latvia is a solution to improve security of the energy supply of the region.

In the discussion about current economic policy issues the work on ensuring the strategic elements of the financial stability of the eurozone, on the shape of the European Stability Mechanism and the amendments to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union which are necessary for its development were discussed.

In view of the fact that the situation in Egypt is worsening, the European Council adopted a declaration expressing the support to “legitimate wish” of the citizens to implement democratic reforms and calling on to restraint from violence and to begin implement reforms immediately.

The European Council adopted the EU position regarding further steps in relations with Belarus by emphasizing the promotion of democratic processes and support to citizens.

Within the framework of the visit to Brussels the Prime Minister gave the interviews to International Herald Tribune and Agence Europe.