LATVIAN INSTITUTE FACTSHEET NO 92 OCTOBER 13, 2009

GOVERNMENT NOMINATES ANDRIS PIEBALGS TO THE

On October 13, the Cabinet of Ministers unanimously and with no discussion supported the candidacy of Andris Piebalgs for a second term in the European Commission. Piebalgs has held the portfolio of EC Commissioner of Energy since November 2004 and was the overwhelming choice, not only among politicians but in the public sector as well. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will officially notify the Council of the European Union on the decision. Prime Minister has publicly expressed ’s interest to keep the energy portfolio under Piebalgs control, although responsibility for transport affairs has also be mentioned as desirable by Latvia. Official consultations will now begin, after Barroso’s re election and the official approval of Piebalgs. So far, nonofficial sources indicate that no Member State yet has expressed a willingness to obtain the energy portfolio. Andris Piebalgs headed the Cabinet of Latvian Commissioner in May 2004 when Latvia first joined the EU. Prior to that, Piebalgs worked for almost a decade in the Latvian foreign service. He began his diplomatic career in 1995 as Latvia’s Ambassador to , but from 1998 until 2003 he served as Latvia’s Ambassador to the EU, and as Undersecretary of State for EU Affairs in the Latvian Foreign Ministry. Piebalgs served as Latvia’s first Minister of Education after the restoration of independence, from 1990 until 1993, and became Minister of Finance in 1994. While serving as the EC Energy Commissioner, Piebalgs stated that “Europe must lead the world on a new industrial revolution: the development of a low carbon economy. Our aim is to limit climate change to 2°C setting a series of ambitious targets on greenhouse gas emissions and renewable energy. We will also aim to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20% by 2020, in particular through energy measures .” Piebalgs has supported a strong European energy policy. As EC Energy Commissioner he led the development of a comprehensive energy strategy and Action Plan that called for a longterm approach to improve the internal market, increase the share of renewable energy, diversify and secure supplies and control demand through ambitious energy efficiency measures. For further information, please, visit website of the Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs: http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/piebalgs/index_en.htm .

THE LATVIAN INSTITUTE The Latvian Institute (Latvijas institūts) was established by the Latvian state to provide a wide range of information about Latvia, its society, culture and history. Contacts: Elizabetes 57 (6th floor) Rīga, LV – 1050, LATVIA Phone: (+371) 67503663 Fax: (+371) 67503669 Email: [email protected] www: www.li.lv Twitter: www.twitter.com/LatviaInstitute

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