Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica and Socialists and Democrats Group in European Parliament express shared vision of Presidency priorities

"The meeting took place in a very constructive atmosphere; Gianni Pitella and I have a common understanding of the need for rapid and effective action on decisions in regard to migration. We also concurred on the necessity to work on rapidly achieving an agreement in matters of priority for the Latvian Presidency, such as the telecommunications package and the European Fund for Strategic Investments," Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica noted.

In view of the tragic events in the Mediterranean and the migration-related problems, Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica emphasised that emergency measures should be immediately put in place, while focusing on the causes of the crisis to deal with the situation in the longer term.

Referring to the Fund for Strategic Investments, Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica emphasised its significance for recovery from the economic and financial crisis. The negotiations to achieve an agreement, as soon as possible, between the co-legislators – the EU Council and the European Parliament – are due to begin this week.

The Parliamentary State Secretary for EU Affairs, Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, also pointed out that the telecommunications package on the agenda of the Latvian Presidency and the EP is instrumental for reducing roaming costs in Europe and preserving an open Internet.

Both parties committed themselves to the target of concluding consultations on that draft legislation during the Latvian Presidency.

The Socialists and Democrats Group in the European Parliament is the second largest after the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) Group, and the Latvian Foreign Ministry's Parliamentary State Secretary for EU Affairs, Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, will meet with them next week.