Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa will commence individual meetings with ministers to discuss the government’s priorities for the year this week, as reported by the State Chancellery.
Siliņa has listed security, support for families, economic growth and reduction of bureaucracy as priority tasks for 2025.
The head of the government stresses that national security remains the most important priority for the Latvian government. This is because it affects all other sectors. She stresses that this year it is necessary to implement the eastern border development plan, join the European power grid and disconnect from BRELL grid, as well as continue improving defensive capabilities together with other European and NATO member states to oppose various hybrid war threats.
Additionally, the head of the Latvian government says that when she took office, support for families was a very important priority. This, according to the PM, includes not just benefits but also healthcare accessibility, kindergarten availability from one year of age, improvement of the quality of education, and development of sports for youths to promote healthy lifestyle.
The Latvian prime minister notes that sufficient European funding will be available to support economic growth this year. This money should be used to boost business innovation and productivity, so that Latvia can increase export volumes. Also, as the PM points out, it is necessary to create new opportunities to attract funding – by listing state-owned companies on the stock exchange and creating savings loan companies in the regions. “The development of human capital is very important, where new ways must be found to facilitate the provision of the knowledge required by employers,” she said.
When it comes to the fourth priority, Siliņa emphasizes that work on it began last year, whereas this year, the reduction of bureaucracy in the state administration will be continued with an even higher priority, easing the administrative burden and making the work of state institutions closer to the people.
“Last year, significant changes were performed in the field of real estate development, including finance, agriculture and taxation,” said the PM, adding that the government will not stop there and this year efforts will continue to find new solutions to make it easier for citizens and businesses, including international investors, to cooperate with the state administration.
She also points out that the government will consider this year the options that could be transferred from the functions of public administration to the private sector. The PM reminds that this year, officials, heads of state institutions and their deputies will no longer be able to hold a position on the board of a state or municipal capital companies at the same time as working full-time on the council of a capital company.