Latvia EU 20

 
Benefits of Latvia's membership of the European Union (EU), marking the twentieth anniversary of Latvia's membership of the EU

  • Membership of NATO and of the European Union strengthens the security of our region. Latvia’s strength lies in a combination of collective defence and individual responsibility.
  • The European Union is providing Ukraine with the greatest assistance to support it in the fight for our common security.
  • Democracies invest in democracies. Being member of the European Union, we are building a part of a safe, rules-based world. Security lies at the heart of our economic development and future.
  • You are free to live, learn, work, travel in 27 Member States without any borders or restrictions. Your rights and freedoms are the same, both in Latvia and elsewhere in the European Union. You have been able to enjoy those freedoms for 20 years. You are at home. You are in the EU.
  • Membership of the European Union offers Latvian businesses free access to a nearly 450-million-strong market and vast opportunities in global markets. You have been able to enjoy those freedoms for 20 years. You are at home. You are in the EU.
  • Citizens of Latvia as a Member State of the European Union may enter more than 100 countries and territories without a visa. You have been able to enjoy those freedoms for 20 years. You are at home. You are in the EU.
  • The European Union brings together countries that respect and protect human dignity, advocate for human rights, freedom, equality and solidarity.
  • The European Union brings together independent, democratic and legal States. Our participation strengthens Latvia's security, freedom and prosperity. We are together. For 20 years now.
  • The European Union supports Ukraine in its fight for freedom, democracy and a rules-based international order. Being in the European Union, we are building a part of a safe, rules-based world. Security is the foundation of our future economic development.
  • embership of the EU contributes to Latvia’s economic growth and attraction of investment. EU membership ensures stable and predictable rules, free access to a nearly 450-million-strong market in 27 Member States, and confidence in the safety and compliance of goods and services with high quality standards.
  • Since Latvia’s accession to the European Union, direct investment has increased almost 10 times in 20 years, exports of goods and services have increased 6 times, while the welfare of population is steadily approaching the European average level.
  • Since Latvia joined the European Union, the average wage has increased more than 5 times over 20 years; from a recipient country we have transformed into a donor providing assistance to others.
  • Membership of the euro area provides for more advantageous business transactions, exempts from currency conversion costs with key trading partners, and enables easier travel. The eurozone is a safe haven during the storm.
  • Membership of the euro area promotes better credit ratings, guarantees a more crisis- and shock-proof financial system. The eurozone is a safe haven during the storm.
  • Membership of the European Union makes it possible to acquire new knowledge and skills, to learn and draw inspiration from each other. Co-financing of education is available for all age groups. Education is a value that all Member States stand up for together.
  • Latvia's membership of the European Union is an opportunity for young people to carry out international European exchange, initiative, solidarity or volunteering projects, to travel freely, put their ideas into action and get financial support.
  • Erasmus+ offers opportunities for thousands of people students, pupils, teachers, youth, sports workers and others - to gain valuable international experience and knowledge, to put the shared European values into life.
  • Participation in EU research and innovation programmes has fostered innovation and strengthened the international competitiveness of Latvian science.
  • With financial support from the European Union, manors, castles, churches, towers, parks, museums, stages, nature trails, gardens, bridges, promenades, beaches and other sites have been renovated all over Latvia. Joint support helps Latvian cultural heritage and architectural monuments to shine in a new light.
  • Undertaken with join support from the European Union, digitalisation of cultural heritage makes it accessible to all citizens. More than 3.8 million items of cultural heritage from Latvia and around the world are found in more than 500 collections of the Digital Library.
  • With joint support from the European Union, 156 public buildings have been renovated, including 70 kindergartens, 23 schools, 7 cultural centres or libraries, 14 social assistance and care homes, as well as other public buildings in the regions of Latvia.
  • With joint support from the European Union, more than 1800 km of roads have been upgraded, improving their safety; railway infrastructure is being modernised.
  • With joint support from the European Union, buildings and communication networks have been insulated and upgraded, sewerage and water supply systems improved, paving laid, parks created and maintained throughout Latvia.
  • With joint support from the European Union, electricity interconnections have been built in Latvia to enable linking to the common European grid. 

 

  • With joint support from the European Union, Latvia is becoming cleaner and greener. Nature trails have been restored, parks landscaped and urban environment improved  Latvia’s natural values preserved for residents and visitors.
  • With joint support from the European Union Water management systems have been renovated throughout Latvia. Our right is for everyone to live in a clean, pleasant and well-kept environment. Our duty is to maintain it.
  • A more environmentally friendly public transport has been developed with common support from the European Union: 143 environmentally friendly buses, modern and comfortable electric trains have been purchased, a network of electric car charging stations has been established with 139 charging stations throughout Latvia.

 

  • Since joining the European Union, Latvia’s annual agricultural and food exports have grown 16 times, reaching EUR 4.77 billion.
  • Membership of the European Union strengthens the total food security and promotes competitiveness of Latvian farmers.
  • Membership of the European Union has enabled more than 120 000 farmers, food companies, forest managers, small rural businesses, rural tourism companies to develop projects in rural Latvia.