The Latvian National Convention on the Future of Europe aims to inform the public about the European Convention, as well as contribute to the ongoing public discussion about the European Union and the future of Europe after the Union's enlargement. The National Convention prepares non-binding guidelines for Latvia's representatives at the European Convention.
The National Convention is open to all interested persons. The sessions of the Convention are broadcast live on Radio Latvia 1.
Latvia's Prime Minister Andris Berzins and the President of the European Movement - Latvia Ainars Dimants preside over the Convention's sessions. Representatives of Latvia at the European Convention (Minister for Special Assignment for Cooperation with International Financial Agencies Roberts Zile, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Rihards Piks, Chairman of the European Affairs Committee of the Parliament Edvins Inkens, and their alternates: Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Parliament Guntars Krasts, members of the European Affairs Committee Maris Sprindzuks and Inese Birzniece) take an active part in the organisation and discussions of the National Convention.

The steering committee of the National Convention consists of Latvia's representatives at the European Convention, as well as representatives of the European Movement - Latvia, the European Integration Bureau, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The First Session of the Latvian National Convention was held on 9 May 2002 in the context of Europe Week, marked in Latvia for the fifth consecutive year. The First Session addressed three topics: Latvia's sovereignty, identity, and role in the Europe of the future. The discussion brought together more than 200 delegates - people from all over Latvia representing different nationalities, professions, and interest groups - including:
- representatives of national and regional mass media;
- academicians, researchers, and lecturers;
- representatives of cultural societies of Latvia's ethnic minorities;
- representatives of non-governmental organisations;
- members of the parliament and government representatives;
- local government officials;
- entrepreneurs.
Most of the speakers emphasised that Latvia's accession to the EU was a question of catching up and maintaining an equal pace of development with other European states. Several delegates also touched upon the forthcoming referendum on the accession to the European Union.
After the First Session of the Latvian National Convention it was agreed that the National Convention should deal with the main discussion topics of the European Convention. To this end, five working groups were established, and they are chaired by the representatives of the Latvian parliament and government at the European Convention:
- Subsidiarity, delimitation of powers (Maris Sprindzuks);
- Charter of Fundamental Rights (Inese Birzniece);
- The role of national parliaments (Rihards Piks);
- Economic governance (Roberts Zile);
- Foreign policy and defence (Guntars Krasts).
A sixth working group, chaired by Edvins Inkens, was formed to focus on the preparations for the referendum on Latvia's accession to the European Union.
The working groups are open for participation to the public. The groups' working papers (in Latvian) are available on the website of the European Integration Bureau (http://www.eib.lv/), which is also the coordinating body of the Latvian National Convention. The National Convention working groups met before the Second Session of the National Convention and analysed the issues to be discussed at the session.
The Second Session of the National Convention on the Future of Europe was held on 22 August 2002. It focused on the results of the working groups' discussions of the National Convention, as well as the debate on these subjects at the European Convention.
One of Latvia's representatives at the European Youth Convention, Debora Pavila reported to the National Convention's Second Session about the European Youth Convention that was held in Brussels in July. Information about the project "Youth 2002" was also provided. The project was carried out in Denmark where a thousand young people from all over Europe drew up a draft Constitution of Europe.

The next meeting of the National Convention is planned for March 2003.

For more information on the Latvian National Convention please contact:
European Integration Bureau
Address: Basteja bulv. 14, Riga
Phone: (+371) 7503100
Fax: (+371) 7286672
E-mail: konvents@eib.lv