Memoclip on Krišjānis KARINS, former MEP (EPP, LV), who was just appointed Prime Minister of Latvia.

KARIŅŠ, Krišjānis (EPP, LV)

Memoclip: Krišjānis KARINS

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/11287075/I166961Chapters%5BSD-EN%5D.srt

Jerzy BUZEK, current EP President (2009-2012)  introduces Krisjanis KARINS

SOUNDBITE (Latvian), Kri&#353;j&#257;nis KARI&#325;&#352; (EPP, LV), A common level of security on the energy market is not possible if we have a fragmented and isolated market for electricity and gas. For historical reasons this problem is particularly grave in the Baltic Sea region. In order to diversify suppliers further we need a harmonized EU policy when it comes to the energy economy

SOUNDBITE (Latvian), Kri&#353;j&#257;nis KARI&#325;&#352; (EPP, LV), The EU's Baltic Sea Strategy is certainly a step in the right direction. Because it suggests that there will be greater interconnections in the current fragmented grid. Now having suffered the Soviet occupation in the Baltic Sea Region we remain fragmented. And we're also therefore dependent on certain suppliers. So, the challenge is to change the situation and to really ensure energy security.

SOUNDBITE (Latvian), Kri&#353;j&#257;nis KARI&#325;&#352; (EPP, LV), Your company works in both the European and the US markets correct? In the US in passenger vehicles you sell mostly petrol engines and in Europe diesel engines. Could you briefly state why this is the case?

Sylvie GUILLAUME (S&amp;D,FR), EP Vice-president presenting Krisjanis KARINS

SOUNDBITE (Latvian), Kri&#353;j&#257;nis KARI&#325;&#352; (EPP, LV), Today robots are being used. That's a possibility for the future. It's a challenge we&rsquo;re in the digital era where new technologies have developed in Europe we have a very fragmented market.

SOUNDBITE (Latvian), Kri&#353;j&#257;nis KARI&#325;&#352; (EPP, LV), Mr. Commissioner. Europe has to compete on the global market and it is only correct that during the next MFF we have increased funding for for innovation and science. We have to be competitive and not with cheap labor but with good innovations with valuable inventions. We are in front of a challenge though currently of all the scientific funds on the Eastern Europe but the their respective institutes receive only 3 percent of the total funding. The rest of the money goes to the other parts of Europe and the Eastern European countries are poorer than those in the West. But the scientific potential is the same. The scientists are as clever. So if we want to invest more in science we have to reduce this disparity.