Riga promotes Latvian traditions

by Mrs Egita Aizsilniece

Riga and Region Office to the EU is an office jointly established by the Riga City Council and the Riga Planning Region Development Council, launched in September 2004.

The main aims of the office include information exchange on the EU initiatives, assistance in establishing new partnerships, raising capacity of the city in the EU issues and lobbying our interests among the EU decision makers. During the first two years of permanent representation in Brussels, Riga has been part of various initiatives, from hosting European functionaries in schools for 9 May celebrations, to joining European pilot projects and running trainee programs for Riga experts. The Thrst impression, after starting our work in Brussels, was that there is a need for information on our culture and history and on the latest developments in the Baltic countries.

Riga, together with 5 Latvian Members of the European Parliament, organised on 8 - 19 May 2006 "Ice-Hockey from Riga in the European Parliament", the Thrst event of this kind ever made. The Ice-Hockey championship was to attract attention to Latvia, to show Latvian traditions through the passion for sports. There were photo exhibitions, a reception, games watched on a big screen and other events for two weeks. In the presence of Mr Almers Ludviks, Deputy Mayor of Riga, the symbol of Brussels Manneken-Pis became a player of team Latvia while wearing our uniform for one day. "There are so many regions in Europe, that's why Riga is using innovative and original methods to attract deserved attention towards the new EU players" - said Mr Ludviks during the ceremony.

The international project work of Riga is expanding every year and the importance of our Brussels presence in the EU policy developments is very significant. Riga has learned its strong sides through cooperation projects and benchmarking exercises in the Baltic Sea Region. Via our Brussels Office, we will be able not only to get benefit from our membership in the EU, but also to offer valuable solutions to other municipalities and to assist the EU policy makers with the experience on the ground.