Discussions on the future of EU and the future of Latvia in the EU can contribute to our common understanding that it is necessary and worthy for Latvia to join the EU. However it is essential to end with the discussion – do we need to join, but go over with the item – how would we act in this future Europe, how would we represent our interests – national and common European for joining the EU strong and able to make use of it. The discussion of this kind will assist to make the choice for joining the EU.
The European Movement Latvia sees the future of three kinds. First, we are sure of the union of nation states, of the EU as a Europe of nations, because we are already following the thoughts of the Latvian poet Rainis expressed in the times of the First World War, who in that time discussions about Europe put forward an idea that the way of Latvia, the way of Latvians to Europe is leading through being Latvian and through Latvia as a nation state – through nation state to federal Europe. Consequently we are devoted to the thoughts of the first statesman of Latvia and follow his idea of Europe.

Secondly, we are for Europe with strong federal features or elements. It means a simple basic constitutional treaty and strong common institutions that will be exactly beneficial for small member states. Certainly, we must look concretely and discuss concretely. And it is discussed in the European Convention of the future of EU.
We are also for strong common EU policies. The Declaration of the European Movement Latvia of the future of the European Union published already in November previous year (available in English in the web-page of European Movement Latvia www.eiropaskustiba.lv and in the official web-page of European Union http://www.europa.eu.int/futurum/documents/other/oth051201_2_en.pdf) we point that we are for really powerful common foreign, defence and security policy. And we are also for the support of small languages and preservation of national cultures and identities in general.
And the third, the future EU has to be based on the former principles of solidarity. The principles of solidarity, equal terms of competition in the common EU market, especially in the sensitive market of agricultural products have to be observed after the enlargement of EU. Therefore we have to sit at the table of decision-makers, not only to become the performers of decisions of EU, what we shall be when we stay outside.
Consequently – the ideal of the European Union is a union of national states with temperately developing and strong federative features in comparison with the needs and support from people and national states, based on the principles of solidarity. Therefore – don’t be afraid of future but let’s develop it together.

Ainars Dimants, President of the European Movement Latvia