The Republic of Latvia and the European Union: a decade as a Member State

• Authors: Bruno Deksnis

Title variants

Latvijas Republika un Eiropas Savienība: desmit gadu kā dalībvalsts

• Languages of publication: EN LV

Abstracts

The Republic of Latvia has been a Member State of the European Union for ten years. During this period, certain inherited problems have shown themselves to be persistent, notably corruption, a weak legal system and serious deficiencies as regards planning for sustainable economic development. This article highlights the principal failings and gives indications of the reasons why remedies were not being implemented. Critical remarks offered by the EU at various junctures have not always been followed by deeds. The Republic of Latvia has benefitted since its re-emergence as an international actor from a highly-developed ability to present its problems and achievements in a light that elicits international support. Latvia shall be the Presiding State of the European Union Council from January to end of June 2015. This article examines the internal and external preparations for rising to meet the expected challenges. In a the most recent elections to the European Parliament Eurosceptic political forces scored no successes, this despite the popularly presented critical view that Latvian citizens express as regards many aspects of the European Union. Overall Latvian citizens see their membership of the EU and NATO as the key factor in preventing Russia to assert its questionable rights to dominate its Baltic neighbours. Key words: Baltic States, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, European Union, EU Accession, economic development, EU fund implementation, 2014 elections European Parliament, EU Presidency, Euroscepticism

Keywords

EN

Baltic States; Latvia; Lithuania; Estonia; European Union; EU Accession; economic development; EU fund implementation; 2014 elections European Parliament; EU Presidency; Euroscepticism

• Publisher: Latvijas Zinātņu Akadēmija
• Journal: Latvijas Zinātņu Akadēmijas Vēstis. A daļa
• Year: 2014
• Volume: 68
• Issue: 3/4
• Pages: 17-39

Contributors

author

Bruno Deksnis