Latvia favors "policy of conditionality" toward EU hopefuls

Latvia favors "policy of conditionality" toward EU hopefuls

BRUSSELS -- Latvia will during its presidency of the EU pursue an enlargement policy based on "the principle of conditionality," reads the country's program.

Latvia, "while noting the strategic importance of the enlargement policy in promoting political stability and economic prosperity in Europe," is committed to moving forward with the ongoing accession negotiations with Montenegro,Serbia, and Turkey with a view to achieving further sustained progress," the 36-page document said.

It deals with the organization's enlargement only briefly, focusing on plans for economic and political consolidation of the EU.

"The presidency will pursue an enlargement policy that is based on principle of conditionality and the countries' own merits in meeting the set criteria. This principle will also guide the presidency's work in advancing the European perspective of other Western Balkan countries according to the respective stages of their integration, with European Union membership as the ultimate goal," said the document.

A key meeting of political leaders with top European Commission officials has been announced for Thursday in Riga, when EC President Jean-Claude Juncker and EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Federica Mogherini will take part.

The meeting will hold a special panel on dedicated to neighborhood and enlargement policy and negotiations, with the participation of Mogherini, the commissioner in charge of this sector, Johannes Hahn, and Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics.