,3 Brussels, 17 July 1998 9LVLW RI &RPPLVVLRQHU YDQ GHQ %URHN WR /DWYLD DQG /LWKXDQLD -XO\ (XURSHDQ &RPPLVVLRQHU IRU ([WHUQDO $IIDLUV +DQV YDQ GHQ %URHN ZLOO YLVLW /DWYLDDQG/LWKXDQLDRQ-XO\WRGLVFXVVWKHVHFRXQWULHV¶SURJUHVV LQ SUHSDULQJ IRU (XURSHDQ 8QLRQ PHPEHUVKLS 0U YDQ GHQ %URHN ZLOO ZHOFRPHWKHLPSURYHGHFRQRPLFSHUIRUPDQFHLQERWK/DWYLDDQG/LWKXDQLD DV ZHOO DV WKHLU HIIRUWV WR DGRSW DQG LPSOHPHQW (8 UXOHV DQG SUDFWLFHV &RPPHQWLQJRQKLVYLVLW0UYDQGHQ%URHNVDLG´%RWK/DWYLDDQG/LWKXDQLD KDYHPDGHJUHDWVWULGHVWRZDUGV(8PHPEHUVKLSLQWKH\HDUVLQFHP\ODVW YLVLW 7KH\ ERWK NQRZ WKDW PXFK PRUH QHHGV WR EH GRQH 7KH GDWH RI DFFHVVLRQLVLQWKHLUKDQGVWKHTXLFNHUWKH\LPSOHPHQWWKHQHFHVVDU\UXOHV DQGUHIRUPVWKHTXLFNHUWKH\ZLOOMRLQ,ZLOOEHWHOOLQJWKHWZRJRYHUQPHQWV WKDWWKH&RPPLVVLRQLVIXOO\FRPPLWWHGWRGRLQJHYHU\WKLQJLQLWVSRZHUWR VSHHGXSWKLVSURFHVV´ In Latvia on 20 July 1998, Mr van den Broek will meet President Guntis Ulmanis, Prime Minister Guntars Krasts, Foreign Minister Valdis Birkavs, the Minister of Finance, Mr Roberts Zile, in addition to the head of the European Affairs Committee in the Parliament, Mr Edvins Inkens. He will exchange views on the new citizenship legislation, adopted on 22 June 1998, which will – once it enters into force - implement OSCE recommendations on the integration of minorities in Latvia. He will discuss Latvia’s recent macroeconomic performance and the need for reforms in a number of fields, including public administration, and the strengthening of the judiciary. Mr van den Broek will deliver a speech on relations between Latvia and the EU at the Stock Exchange, Riga, at 14.45 on 20 July 1998 and hold a press conference with Foreign Minister Birkavs at 16.35 in the Cabinet of Ministers, Riga. In Lithuania on 21 July, Commissioner van den Broek will meet President Valdas Adamkus, Prime Minister Gediminas Vagnorius, Foreign Minister Algirdas Saudargas and the Minister for Economy, Mr Vincas Babilius, as well as MPs from the Foreign Affairs and the European Affairs Committees. They will discuss Lithuania’s recent macroeconomic performance and the importance of further structural reforms, privatisation and restructuring large-scale enterprises. The talks will also focus on public administration and judicial reform and the telecommunications sector. Mr van den Broek will also discuss Lithuania’s energy strategy and nuclear safety, reiterating the Commission’s readiness to assist Lithuania in the preparation of a long-term comprehensive national energy strategy, including a clear commitment regarding the decommissioning of Ignalina NPP. Mr van den Broek will hold a press conference at 15.30 on 21 July 1998 at the EC delegation, Vilnius. In both Latvia and Lithuania, Mr van den Broek will discuss progress in each country’s application to join the WTO and encourage them to intensify regional co- operation. 2.