The first of July “is the starting date for the 3 Union Presidencies in succession – Italy, Latvia and Luxembourg – which are already working together and aim to achieve growth and jobs, especially for the younger generations”. They also intend to “strengthen Europe’s global and regional role”. These were Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini’s comments at a joint press conference at the Farnesina with her Latvian and Luxembourg colleagues, Edgars Rinkēvičs and Jean Asselborn, on the Trio’s consultations. The 3 ministers outlined the key events and challenges awaiting the Union, which include not just development but immigration and foreign policy too.
“We shall be working together while looking both to our eastern borders and to the southern shore of the Mediterranean and the Middle East, the Union’s ‘natural’ spheres of action”, explained Minister Mogherini. In line with these priorities, in the coming weeks Mogherini will be visiting Moscow and Kiev, Israel and Palestine, and will end her first round of missions for the semester in the Western Balkans.
The European Union’s agenda for the coming months also includes the crucial issues of climate, energy and the digital agenda.
New consultation method
Lastly, Foreign Minister Mogherini announced a new working method for the Presidency. “In the margins of European meetings, we will meet again with our opposite numbers from Latvia and Luxembourg to follow the progress of the Presidency Trio’s programme”.
