Environment Protection and Regional Development Minister Juris Pūce (AP!) discussed important proposals for Latvia during the German Presidency during a video conference with the German Ministry of Environment, Nature Protection and Nuclear Safety, Rita Scharzelühr-Sutter.
At the meeting, Minister, representatives of the German Ministry of Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety and Parliamentary Secretary Rita Schwarcelira-Zutere discussed the priorities planned by the German Presidency of the European Union (EU) for 2020, as well as issues related to the drafting of the new EU Climate Act, the EU Biodiversity Strategy, the Action Plan for the circular economy, as well as digitisation and sustainability, with a particular focus on Germany's priority: opportunities and risks for the digitalisation of the environment and climate.
"The European Green Course is a good basis for stimulating economic growth and moving towards climate neutrality. . Green growth must be at the heart of EU policy. Investment in new technologies and innovation will help create new jobs, so the move towards climate neutrality is fully in line with the priority of economic recovery both in Latvia and throughout the European Union”, said Minister Juris Pūce. The Minister expressed his hope that, despite the substantial changes in the working methods planned, the German Presidency will make significant progress on environmental and climate policy matters.
The minister also discussed with the German delegation the priority areas of the EU Eighth Environment Action Programme in order to move together towards a resource-efficient and climate neutral circular economy.
Promoting a circular economy would stimulate more sustainable consumption, as well as encourage access to repair services and spare resources, and it is therefore essential that the EU has uniform circular economic requirements.
In a video conference, the Minister emphasised the importance of the European Green Course in ensuring a sustainable recovery of the EU economy in order to restore economic growth and create jobs. The EU must continue to support initiatives to implement measures aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Germany will become the EU Presidency on 1 July 2020 for a half-year period, so the German Ministry of Environment, Nature Protection and Nuclear Safety intends to address all EU Member States to discuss the issues planned during its Presidency and the positions of the Member States.
Other information:
Public Relations Division
Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development
Tel. 20200305; 67026533,
email: prese@varam.gov.lv