3rd Eastern Partnership Business Forum in Riga to bring together business leaders from 39 countries

On 21 May Riga will host the 3rd Eastern Partnership Business Forum where business leaders from 39 countries of the European Union, the Eastern Partnership and other parts of the world will explore solutions for development of favourable business environment in the region and seek for sustainable cooperation in such sectors as transport, finance, energy and the digital industry.

Keynote addresses at the forum will be delivered byMr Andris Bērziņš, the President of the Republic of Latvia, Mr Vitālijs Gavrilovs, the President of the Employers’ Confederation of Latvia (LDDK) and Vice-President of BUSINESSEUROPE i, Mr Werner i Hoyer, the President of the European Investment Bank (EIB) and Mr Jacek Piotr Krawczyk, the President of the Employers’ Group at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC).

“Development of the geopolitical situation over the past two years has highlighted the issues of the Eastern Partnership and the European Neighbourhood Policy. It is of special relevance in the countries at the EU’s external borders, such as Latvia and other Baltic States, where the historical development has been closely connected to that of the Eastern Partnership region. However, the escalating tension between the countries in the neighbourhood has a negative effect on business and the economy, and therefore, the Eastern Partnership Business Forum will focus on the strengthening of business ties, while promoting the development of social dialogue in the Eastern Partnership countries and thereby shaping a favourable business environment for further development,  said LDDK President Vitālijs Gavrilovs.

Representatives from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine and other countries will share their experience of cooperation across borders. At the closing session of the forum, the business recommendations for further development of cooperation will be outlined and presented by LDDK to the delegates of the Eastern Partnership political summit.

At the forum the delegates will also hold bilateral meetings to facilitate business partnerships between enterprises in the EU, Eastern Partnership, and countries around the world.

The 3rd Eastern Partnership Business Forum is organised by the Latvian Presidency of the EU Council and BUSINESSEUROPE; the strategic partners of the event are the Employers’ Group at the European Economic and Social Committee and the European Investment Bank, and the partners - the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA), SIA Lattelecom (Ltd.), and EastInvest.

Notice to the media:

To obtain accreditation for participation in the Eastern Partnership Business Forum, you are invited to register until 15 May at: https://eu2015.lv/media-eu/accreditation

A press conference will take place on 21 May at 10:30, in Alfa Conference Hall at Radisson Blu Latvija Hotel, with participation of Mr Vitālijs Gavrilovs, the President of the Employers’ Confederation of Latvia and Vice President of BUSINESSEUROPE; Mr Markus J. Beyrer, the Director General of BUSINESSEUROPE; Mr Johannes Hahn, the Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations; and representatives from the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD);

A special working room for the media will be available at the Radisson Blu Latvija Hotel Conference Centre, providing a live stream of the panels.