COMMUNITY ACQUIS and Latvia

 

 

 

The November 1998 Report confirmed that Latvia had continued to make efforts in the fields of research and technological development and the information society. Attention has been given to research and technological development in the National Programme for the Adoption of the acquis.

Research and Technological Development activities (RTD) at Community level, as provided for in Article 164 of the Treaty (former Article 130G) and the Framework Programme (Article 166, former Article 130I), are aimed at improving the competitiveness of European industry and the quality of life, as well as supporting sustainable development and contributing to the development of other Community policies.

The objective of Community telecommunications policy is to eliminate obstacles to the efficient operation of the internal market in equipment, services and telecommunications networks, to open foreign markets to Community enterprises and to make modern services available to citizens and enterprises in the European Union.

Research and technological development

In the field of research and technological development, Latvia has been participating, since October 1999, in the Fifth Framework Programme as well as in the 5th Euratom Framework Programme of research and training activities (1). Latvia expressed interest in being associated with the Sixth Framework Programme (2002-2006).

Telecommunications

A telecommunications standardisation technical committee has been created to implement European telecommunications standards and facilitate reliable interaction between networks.

Postal services

Latvia published standards for a universal postal service in September 2002.

Information Society.

With regard to the Information Society, Latvia is modernising its legal framework for information and communication technology. The Latvian national computerisation programme (1999-2005 action plan) has begun.

Decision of the EU-Latvia Association Council of 23 July 1999 adopting the terms and conditions for the participation of Latvia in Community programmes in the field of research, technological development and demonstration (1998 to 2002) and in programmes for research and training activities (1998 to 2002).

Further Information

http://www.europa.eu.int

http://www.euractiv