The Commissioner meets Dace Melbārde, the country's Minister for Culture, and Vjačeslavs Dombrovskis, Minister for Education and Science. Then, she takes part in the 'Path of Light – Chain of Book Lovers', in which members of the public will pass books from the old building of the Latvian National Library to the Castle of Light, where the Commissioner will participate in a press briefing.
She is going to visit the Central Market where events linked to the European Capital of Culture will be held all day. The Commissioner will give a speech at Arena Riga, ahead of the European Capital's opening concert, "Riga Resounds". Commissioner Vassiliou will participate in more cultural events in Rīga and visit Sigulda.
"The European Capital of Culture program has been a fantastic success for almost 30 years: the title is a unique opportunity to make the most of a city's cultural assets and boost its long-term development. The title is important for tourism, jobs and regeneration; I'm sure Rīga will have a very successful year," said Commissioner Vassiliou.
Reference: European Commission, Press release, IP/14/28; 17 January 2014.
Education and employment
Commissioner Vassiliou will meet representatives of the Employers' Confederation of Latvia and take part in the Latvian national launch of Erasmus+ program.
With a budget of €14.7 billion for the next seven years (40% more than under the previous programs), Erasmus+ will provide opportunities for over 4 million Europeans to study, train, gain work experience and volunteer abroad in 2014-20. More than 50 000 Latvians are expected to benefit from Erasmus+, which builds on the success of the Erasmus student exchange scheme and other training and youth programmes.
"The international experience gained through Erasmus+ will boost people's skills, personal development and employability. We also will invest more to improve partnerships between education and employers to ensure that young people are equipped with the skills which are needed in the labour market today and in the future," added Commissioner Vassiliou.
Latvia will receive €15 million in 2014 from Erasmus+, nearly 11% more than it received in 2013 from the Lifelong Learning and Youth in Action Programmes. Its funding from the programme will increase each year up to 2020. Latvia can also benefit further from grants under the program's Jean Monnet action for European integration studies in higher education and for transnational sports projects.
Between 2007 and 2013, around 35 000 Latvian students, young people and education, training and youth staff received funding from the EU's Lifelong Learning and Youth in Action programmes.
