Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Civic Alliance – Latvia agree on civil society participation in Latvia’s presidency of the council of the European Union

On 16 September 2026, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Civic Alliance – Latvia signed a memorandum of cooperation at the National Library of Latvia on the involvement of non-governmental organisations in the preparation and implementation of Latvia’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The implementation of the memorandum will be coordinated by the Secretariat of the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

“Expertise and knowledge are present throughout society, which is why participation is indispensable. In preparing for the Presidency of the Council of the EU, we need your expertise, experience and ability to reach people across Latvia. Each of us individually, and all of us together, make up the mosaic of Latvian society. This memorandum transforms that involvement into practical cooperation – with concrete proposals, initiatives and regular dialogue,” says Minister of Foreign Affairs Baiba Braže.

Kristīne Zonberga, Director of the Civic Alliance – Latvia, emphasises: “The Presidency is not only an opportunity to showcase Latvia to Europe, but also to bring Europe closer to Latvian society. Non-governmental organisations can make a significant substantive contribution by bringing people’s experiences, needs and diverse perspectives into the Presidency process. We therefore encourage organisations to come forward already now with ideas and a willingness to get involved.”

The memorandum of cooperation provides for coordinated efforts to explain the significance of the Presidency, provide information about its activities and events, including those taking place in Latvia’s regions, and promote public understanding of the European Union and its impact on everyday life.

Latvia Prepares for the Presidency

Every 13 years, each European Union Member State takes on the Presidency of the Council of the European Union on a rotating basis. During the six-month period from July to December 2028, Latvia will lead the work of the Council of the European Union, facilitate the achievement of compromises and help advance legislation and policies that affect the daily lives of more than 450 million people across the European Union.

During the Presidency in the second half of 2028, approximately 250 events at various levels will take place in Latvia, including meetings of heads of state and government, ministers and experts, as well as sectoral conferences and seminars. It is expected that up to 20,000 representatives from across the European Union will visit Latvia during the six-month period.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs coordinates the preparation of the Presidency’s substantive priorities, which is expected to be completed shortly before the Presidency begins in 2028. The Secretariat of the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union is responsible for planning, implementing and overseeing Presidency events in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Latvia to the European Union, line ministries and the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union.

Photo: Kristīne Dukule, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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