Latvia starts presidency of Council of EU in very complicated circumstances: Tusk

Latvia has started its presidency of the Council of the EU in very complicated circumstances, European Council President Donald Tusk told the press after a meeting with Latvian Prime Minister Laimdota Straujuma here on Friday.

Tusk said that the EU is currently faced with many internal and external challenges which will have to be dealt with during Latvia's six-month presidency.

Security will be one of the most pressing issues, especially after this week's terror attack in Paris. Such "events are an indication of countries' vulnerability, but together we can strengthen our defense capabilities and provide additional security guarantees," Tusk indicated.

The president of the European Council also noted the need to enhance the EU's Passenger Name Record system which might help track the movements of dangerous individuals.

Tusk described the presidency of the Council of the EU as a "major challenge that will require hard work from Latvia. I know it because I have experienced this during Poland's presidency as its prime minister," he said.

The conversation between Tusk and Straujuma also dealt with priorities of the Latvian presidency of the Council of the EU and the European Council's agenda for 2015, including the Energy Union, reforms needed for Europe's economic growth, the digital agenda, Europe's neighborhood policy and the Eastern Partnership summit planned in Riga.

Tusk is in Riga for the official opening of the Latvian presidency of the Council of the EU. Endit