EU – Baltic States, Latvia, Legislation, Technology, Telecomunications

In this regard, Kristovskis emphasizes that the opening of this office is a great diplomatic achievement for Latvia brought about by an active engagement of high-ranking Latvian officials in cooperation with Latvia’s diplomats in EU institutions and member states.

''The strong determination of Latvia’s government to achieve that this EU institution is located in Riga and the targeted lobbying within EU institutions and the member states done by the Latvian government and diplomats have produced a spectacular result. Locating the BEREC Office in Riga will not only strengthen the field of electronic communications, but will also promote the decentralization of EU institutions and bring them closer to citizens, and, what’s more, will also raise Latvia’s profile on an international scale,'' Kristovskis said.

The Office of BEREC is responsible for the harmonization of the EU internal market in the field of electronic communications and significantly supports the implementation of the European Digital Agenda, thus providing new jobs for Europeans and promoting Europe's global competitiveness in the area of information and communication technologies.

The BEREC Office provides expertise and the analysis from members states, thus promoting quality, lower rates and accessibility to the services of electronic communications including broadband internet and mobile communications.

Latvia believes that the development of the sector is important and provides a basis for further economic progress, as well as improvements in the social sphere and education.

The decision to locate the Office of BEREC in Riga was made by the EU in May of 2010. High-ranking Latvian officials and the Vice President of the European Commission and European Digital Agenda Commissioner Neelie Kroes will take part in the official opening ceremony of the BEREC office.