Latvia joined the European Union on 1 May&nbsp;2004 and has been a member of the Schengen area since 21 December 2007. It became a member of the Euro area on 1 January 2014.

Latvia is a parliamentary republic with a head of government - the Prime Minister - who chooses the council of ministers and a head of state - the President - who has a largely ceremonial role and nominates the Prime Minister.

The government is subject to Parliament's approval throughout each term.

The country is subdivided into 110 one-level municipalities and 9 cities. These each have their own city councils and municipal administrations.

There are 8 Members of the European Parliament from Latvia.

EU - Latvia

Krišjānis KARINS, Latvian Prime Minister, is the twentieth EU leader to debate the future of Europe with MEPs, and the last one before the European Elections 23-26 May 2019, in plenary session in Strasbourg.

The Europeans want the EU to change. This is why the European Parliament is taking the leadership over a reform of the EU.

Parliament set out its vision for the future of Europe in three resolutions voted in plenary session on 16 February 2017. MEPs suggested, among other things: turning the Council of Ministers into a genuine second legislative chamber, and its configurations into preparatory bodies similar to Parliament’s committees, appointing an EU finance minister and giving the EU Commission the power to formulate and give effect to a common EU economic policy, backed up by a euro-area budget, and creating a fiscal capacity consisting of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) and specific additional budgetary capacity for the euro area, funded by its members as a part of the EU budget.

Catch up on all the future of Europe debates

Debate on the Future of Europe with Krišjānis KARINS, Latvian Prime Ministe

Latvia joined the European Union 1st January 2014 and it has been a member of the Schengen area since 21st December 2017.

Latvia is a parliamentary republic with a head of government - the Prime Minister - who chooses the council of ministers and a head of state - the President - who has a largely ceremonial role and nominates the prime minister. The government remains subject to Parliament's approval throughout each term. The country is subdivided into 110 one-level municipalities and 9 cities. These have their own city councils and municipal administrations.

There are 8 members of the European Parliament from Latvia.

EU - Latvia (2019-2020)

This storybook is about a little girl, Anna, who is starting school in a new country and learning the local language through immersion. The audiobook and e-book versions are available in the 24 EU official languages. While the target audience is 3-6 year olds, this storybook could also be useful for older children learning to read, whether in their first EU language or in another one.

<a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/anna-learns-new-language-all-versions_15508_pk">See the other language versions</a>

Anna learns a new language (Latvian version)

EP President Roberta Metsola is in Riga, where she will meet with Speaker of the Saeima Daiga Mieriņa, President of the Republic of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs, Prime Minister Evika Siliņa and Minister of Foreign Affairs Krišjānis Kariņš. President Metsola will then deliver a speech and participate in a discussion with young Latvians.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Riga (Latvia)

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Stockholm (Sweden) - Town Hall discussion with young Latvians, organised by the Latvian Institute of International Affairs

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Riga (Latvia) - Town Hall discussion with young Latvians, organised by the Latvian Institute of International Affairs

Togra le haghaidh gníomhartha de chuid an Aontais

An t-ionsaí gan fasach a rinne an Iaráin ar Iosrael agus an géarghá atá le freagairt ón Aontas (díospóireacht)

Athchromadh ar an suí

Suí sollúnta - Comóradh 20 bliain ó Mheadú 2004 an Aontais

Am vótála

Formheas mhiontuairiscí an tsuí roimhe sin

Ionsaí ar an aeráid agus an dulra: iarrachtaí na heite fíordheise agus coimeádach an Comhaontú Glas don Eoraip a scriosadh agus cosc a chur le hinfheistiú inár dtodhchaí (díospóireacht ar cheist cúrsaí reatha)

Leasú a dhéanamh ar Threoir 2013/36/AE maidir le cumhachtaí maoirseachta, smachtbhannaí, brainsí tríú tír, agus rioscaí comhshaoil, sóisialta agus rialachais - Leasú a dhéanamh ar Rialachán (AE) Uimh. 575/2013 maidir le ceanglais le haghaidh riosca creidmheasa, riosca coigeartaithe luachála creidmheasa, riosca margaidh agus bonn aschuir (díospóireacht chomhpháirteach - Aontas Baincéireachta)

An Séú Treoir maidir le Frithsciúradh Airgid - Rialachán maidir le Frithsciúradh Airgid - Bunú an Údaráis um Fhrithsciúradh Airgid agus um Maoiniú Sceimhlitheoireachta a Chomhrac (comhdhíospóireacht - An comhrac i gcoinne sciúradh sirgid)

Ceart fiosrúcháin Pharlaimint na hEorpa (díospóireacht)

Am vótála (ar lean)

Dearbhú La Hulpe maidir le todhchaí na hEorpa sóisialta (díospóireacht)

Todhchaí inbhuanaithe a chruthú le chéile: dúshláin eacnamaíocha, shóisialta agus chríochacha le haghaidh Eoraip atá iomaíoch, comhtháite agus cuimsitheach (díospóireacht)

Iarrachtaí a rinneadh le déanaí chun deachtóireachtaí a shéanadh agus an baol go bhfillfidh an Eoraip ar an ollsmachtachas (díospóireacht)

An Asarbaiseáin, go háirithe an chos ar bolg atá á déanamh ar an tsochaí shibhialta agus cásanna an Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu agus Ilhamiz Guliyev

An aisghairm atá beartaithe ar an dlí lena gcuirtear cosc ar chiorrú ball giniúna ban sa Ghaimbia

An dlí slándála nua i Hong Cong agus cásanna Andy Li agus Joseph John

An bille frith-LGBTIQ a rith parlaimint Ghána a bhfuil impleachtaí aige ar chearta an duine, ar shaoirse cainte agus ar phrionsabail dhaonlathacha (díospóireacht)

Réamhfhaisnéise faoi phaisinéirí: rialuithe ag teorainneacha seachtracha a fheabhsú agus a éascú - Réamhfhaisnéise faoi phaisinéirí: cionta sceimhlitheoireachta agus coireacht thromchúiseach a chosc, a bhrath, a imscrúdú agus a ionchúiseamh (comhdhíospóireacht - Réamhfhaisnéis faoi phaisinéirí)

Mínithe ar an vótáil

Clár oibre an chéad suí eile

Críoch an tsuí

Plenary session

Official visit to Riga (Latvia) - Press point by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Evika SILIŅA, Latvian Prime Minister

Official visit to Riga (Latvia) - Press point by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Daiga MIERINA, Speaker of the Saeima (Latvian Parliament)

Press point by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and by Edgars RINKĒVIČS, President of Latvia

Joint Press point by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Krišjanis KARIŅŠ, Latvian Prime Minister

Press point by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and by Egils LEVITS, President of Latvia

Oscailt an tsuí

An Clár Oibre a Leasú

Caighdeáin astaíochtaí CO2 do ghluaisteáin agus do veaineanna

Aitheasc ó Uachtarán Phoblacht na Laitvia, Egils Levits

Iarraidh ar dhíolúine a tharscaoileadh

Coinbhinsiún Chomhairle na hEorpa chun foréigean in aghaidh na mban agus foréigean teaghlaigh a chosc agus a chomhrac: Aontachas AE

Tosaíochtaí an Aontais Eorpaigh don 67ú seisiún de Choimisiún na Náisiún Aontaithe um Stádas na mBan

Tráth na gCeisteanna (an Coimisiún) - Beartas neartaithe um méadú an Aontais chun tíortha na mBalcán Thiar

Comhlacht Eitice neamhspleách AE a bhunú

Comhdhéanamh na ngrúpaí polaitiúla

Comhdhéanamh na gcoistí agus na dtoscaireachtaí

Freagairt ar an staid sa Túinéis

Teannas idir Ruanda agus Poblacht Dhaonlathach an Chongó

Leasuithe ar an Rialachán maidir le Cistí Infheistíochta Fadtéarmaí Eorpacha (ELTIFanna)

Address by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to the Saeima - Parliament of the Republic of Latvia

Press Conference A. TAJANI - EP President - and A.K. KARIŅŠ - Latvian Prime Minister - on “Future of Europe”-BU

Press Conference A. TAJANI - EP President - and A.K. KARIŅŠ - Latvian Prime Minister - on “Future of Europe”

Debate with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Latvia, Krišjānis Kariņš, on the Future of Europe

Martin SCHULZ, President of the European Parliament, Laimdota STRAUJUMA, Prime Minister of the Republic of Latvia

UNKN

Review of the Latvian Presidency (debate) (debate)

Jerzy BUZEK - Chair of ITRE Committee - Pilar del CASTILLO VERA - ITRE rapporteur - Günther H. OETTINGER - EU Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society - & Edmunds BEĻSKIS - Latvian Ministry of transport

Jan ALBRECHT - LIBE rapporteur - Claude MORAES - Chair of LIBE Committee - Věra JOUROVÁ - EU Commissionner for Justice, Consumers & Gender Equality - Dzintars RASNAČS - Latvian Minister for Justice - & Felix BRAZ -Luxembourg Minister for Justice

Marit PAULSEN - AGRI rapporteur and head EP negotiator - Vytenis ANDRIUKAITIS - EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety - member of Latvian presidency

O. REHN - EP Vice-President - J. ARTHUIS - Chair of BUDG Committee - R. GUALTIERI - Chair of ECON Committee - M. ULVSKOG - Vice-Chair of EMPL Committee - I. MŪRNIECE - Speaker of Latvian Saeima - L. ČIGĀNE - Chair of the European Affairs Committee

Martin SCHULZ - President of European Parliament - and Laimdota STRAUJUMA - Prime Minister of Republic of Latvia

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Riga (Latvia) - Meeting with Krišjanis KARIŅŠMinister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Riga (Latvia) -  Meeting with Evika SILINA, Latvian Prime Minister

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Riga (Latvia) - Meeting with Edgars RINKĒVIČS, President of Latvia

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Riga (Latvia) - Meeting with Daiga MIERINA, Speaker of the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Edgars RINKEVICS, President of Latvia - Press Point

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Edgars RINKEVICS, President of Latvia

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, participates to the Meeting of the European Political Community, in Granada (Spain) - Bilateral Meeting with Evika SILINA, Latvian Prime Minister

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Krišjanis KARINŠ, Latvian Prime Minister.- Press point

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Krišjanis KARINŠ, Latvian Prime Minister

Roberta METSOLA, EP President welcomes  Egils LEVITS, Latvian President - Joint Press Point

EP Plenary session - Address by Egils LEVITS, Latvian President

Roberta METSOLA, EP President welcomes  Egils LEVITS, Latvian President

Othmar KARAS welcomes  Egils LEVITS, Latvian President

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Latvia- Youth discussion

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Latvia - Meeting with Egils LEVITS, President of Latvia

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Latvia - Visit to Rail Baltica Infrastructure Project

Eliass is a mechatronics student at Rezekne Academy of Technologies in Rezekne, Latvia, and was born on 1 May 2004. Parliament celebrates the 20th anniversary of the EU’s biggest enlargement. Young people, born on or around 1 May 2004 from the new member states, testimony on their feelings about this historical event and the EU. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Born European - 20th anniversary of the 2004 Enlargement of the European Union – Latvia

&lt;p>Eiropas Savienībā demokrātija var šķist pašsaprotama. Taču tā nav bijis vienmēr. Vēl pavisam nesen miljoniem eiropiešu nevarēja balsot vai pat brīvi paust savu viedokli. Šajā laikā bija jābaidās par savu dzīvību, ja biji atšķirīgs, ja tev bija savādāki uzskati vai ja vēlējies citādāku dzīvi. Demokrātija ir vērtīga dāvana, ko esam saņēmuši no iepriekšējām paaudzēm. Tās tiecās pēc demokrātijas un to izcīnīja. Tagad mums tā jānosargā, jāpadara spēcīgāka un jānodod nākamajām paaudzēm. Vislabākais veids, kā to izdarīt, ir balsot vēlēšanās&nbsp;— jo vairāk cilvēku balso, jo stiprāka kļūst demokrātija. 2024.&nbsp;gada 6.–9.&nbsp;jūnijā&nbsp;— balso un neļauj citiem lemt tavā vietā!&lt;/p>&lt;p>© ANDCO A/S, 2024. All rights reserved. Licensed to the European Parliament under conditions. Use or reproduction is prohibited without prior explicit permission from the respective right holders.&lt;/p>&lt;p> &lt;/p>

Balso! – European elections 2024 video – Latvian (audiodescription) 4:5

&lt;p>Eiropas Savienībā demokrātija var šķist pašsaprotama. Taču tā nav bijis vienmēr. Vēl pavisam nesen miljoniem eiropiešu nevarēja balsot vai pat brīvi paust savu viedokli. Šajā laikā bija jābaidās par savu dzīvību, ja biji atšķirīgs, ja tev bija savādāki uzskati vai ja vēlējies citādāku dzīvi. Demokrātija ir vērtīga dāvana, ko esam saņēmuši no iepriekšējām paaudzēm. Tās tiecās pēc demokrātijas un to izcīnīja. Tagad mums tā jānosargā, jāpadara spēcīgāka un jānodod nākamajām paaudzēm. Vislabākais veids, kā to izdarīt, ir balsot vēlēšanās&nbsp;— jo vairāk cilvēku balso, jo stiprāka kļūst demokrātija. 2024.&nbsp;gada 6.–9.&nbsp;jūnijā&nbsp;— balso un neļauj citiem lemt tavā vietā!&lt;/p>&lt;p>© ANDCO A/S, 2024. All rights reserved. Licensed to the European Parliament under conditions. Use or reproduction is prohibited without prior explicit permission from the respective right holders.&lt;/p>

Balso! – European elections 2024 video – Latvian (subtitled) 16:9

&lt;p>In the European Union, democracy may seem obvious to us today. But this has not always been the case. Not so long ago, millions of Europeans lived through times when they could not vote or even speak up freely. When their very lives could be in danger simply for being different, for holding different beliefs or for wanting a different life. Democracy is a precious gift passed on to us from previous generations. They aspired towards it and fought for it. Now it is up to us to maintain it, to make it stronger and pass it on to the generations to come.The most effective way to do so is by voting - because the more people vote, the stronger democracy becomes. On June 6-9 2024: Use your vote or others will decide for you. © ANDCO A/S, 2024. All rights reserved. Licensed to the European Parliament under conditions. Use or reproduction is prohibited without prior explicit permission from the respective right holders.&lt;/p>

Balso! – European elections 2024 video – Latvian (International Sign) 16:9

In the European Union, democracy may seem obvious to us today. But this has not always been the case. Not so long ago, millions of Europeans lived through times when they could not vote or even speak up freely. When their very lives could be in danger simply for being different, for holding different beliefs or for wanting a different life. Democracy is a precious gift passed on to us from previous generations. They aspired towards it and fought for it. Now it is up to us to maintain it, to make it stronger and pass it on to the generations to come.The most effective way to do so is by voting - because the more people vote, the stronger democracy becomes. On June 6-9 2024: Use your vote or others will decide for you. © ANDCO A/S, 2024. All rights reserved. Licensed to the European Parliament under conditions. Use or reproduction is prohibited without prior explicit permission from the respective right holders.

Balso! – European elections 2024 video – Latvian (subtitled) 4:5

Balso! – European elections 2024 video – Latvian (audiodescription) 16:9

Balso! – European elections 2024 video – Latvian (dubbed) 4:5

Balso! – European elections 2024 video – Latvian (dubbed) 16:9

EP President Roberta Metsola, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, former EP President Pat Cox, and former Commission President Romano Prodi participate in a formal sitting of Parliament to mark the 20th anniversary of the 2004 EU enlargement round along with representatives from the ten countries, that joined the EU 20 years ago. During the ceremony, the guests answer questions from a group of young people born on or around 1 May 2004 from the new Member States, who are invited to attend the sitting. Three young guests ask questions to Vaira VĪĶE-FREIBERGA, former President of Latvia, Péter MEDGYESSY, former Prime Minister of Hungary and Lawrence GONZI, former Prime Minister of Malta.

20th Anniversary of the 2004 EU Enlargement: Three young guests ask questions to Vaira VĪĶE-FREIBERGA, former President of Latvia, Péter MEDGYESSY, former Prime Minister of Hungary and Lawrence GONZI, former Prime Minister of Malta

Parliament celebrates the 20th anniversary of the EU’s biggest enlargement. Young people, born on or around 1 May 2004 from the new member states, testimony on their feelings about this historical event and the EU.

Clip: Born European - 20th Anniversary of the 2004 EU Enlargement

How does Europe affect our everyday lives? How does it impact on our jobs, our families, our health care, our journeys and our consumer choices? And how is Europe present in our towns, cities and regions? As European citizens, no matter where we live, how we make our living, or how we spend our time, the EU has an impact on our daily lives. The website 'What Europe does for me' presents a wide range of short, easy-to-read texts drawn up by the European Parliamentary Research Service, focusing on what the European Union does and the impact it has on us all. It explores EU actions from the individual’s point of view, with many examples of projects and support.

EPRS - What Europe does for me: Supporting people with disabilities - Latvian (subtitles)

Global challenges – including climate change, geopolitical conflict, erosion of democratic principles and social inequalities – affect people's daily lives and future prospects.A collective European response over the next 10 years could help to address these challenges – and offer benefits worth up to €3 trillion a year. This represents around 18 % of EU gross domestic product (GDP), equivalent to €6 700 per citizen per year. Referring to the European Parliament's work during the 2019-2024 term, our research has identified action in 10 policy areas that could unleash Europe's potential – without the need for Treaty change.

EPRS - Mapping the cost of non-Europe: Ten ways that Europe could do more for you - Latvian (subtitles)

EPRS - What Europe does for me: Supporting women in the workplace - Latvian (subtitles)

This info clip is a part of the video series called "European Parliament’s priorities and achievements (2019-2024)", and it shows illustrative footage about migration. It focuses on the New Pact on Migration and Asylum, which is designed to manage and normalise migration for the long term, providing certainty, clarity and decent conditions for people arriving in the EU. It also establishes a common approach to migration and asylum that is based on solidarity, responsibility, and respect for human rights. This info clip also contains illustative material about the Delegations of the Civil Liberties Committee (LIBE Committee) visiting Latvia, Lithuania, France, and Italy in order to gather first hand impressions regarding the situation of migrants. In addition, the info clip shows footage related to the EU Blue Card Directive, which establishes the conditions of entry and residence of highly qualified non-EU nationals in 25 EU countries.

European Parliament’s priorities and achievements (2019-2024): Reforming the migration and asylum rules

Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, delivers a speech and attends a Town Hall discussion with young Latvians, organised by the Latvian Institute of International Affairs. This news item shows extracts from the statement of President Metsola and the exchange of views with students on European Union affairs.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Riga (Latvia): extracts from the speech and Town Hall discussion with young Latvians

Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, meets with Evika SILIŅA, Latvian Prime Minister and Krišjanis KARIŅŠ, Latvian Minister for Foreign Affairs, during her official visit to Riga (Latvia). This news item shows extracts from the arrival of President Metsola, her meeting with Prime Minister Silina and their press point with journalists.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Riga (Latvia) - meeting with Evika SILIŅA, Latvian Prime Minister and Krišjanis KARIŅŠ, Latvian Minister for Foreign Affairs: arrival, meeting and extracts from the press point

Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, and Evika SILIŅA, Latvian Prime Minister, hold a press point on the occasion of the President's official visit to Riga (Latvia). This transcription is a result of an authomatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press point by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Evika SILIŅA, Latvian Prime Minister

Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, meets with Edgars RINKĒVIČS, President of the Republic of Latvia, during her official visit to Riga (Latvia). This news item shows extracts from the arrival of President Metsola and welcome by Edgars RINKĒVIČS, President of the Republic of Latvia, and extracts from the meeting.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Riga (Latvia) - meeting with Edgars RINKĒVIČS, President of the Republic of Latvia: arrival and meeting

Taispeáin 1 toradh imeachtaí do ""

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Riga (Latvia)