On 11 May, President of Latvia Egils Levits met with Mrs Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice President of the European Commission (EC) for Digital Affairs.
During the meeting, the President of Latvia and the Executive Vice President of the European Commission discussed the challenges posed by the rapid development of artificial intelligence. M. Vestager informed the President of the existing regulations on the digital environment. E. Levits noted that digital technologies must not allow for the manipulation of public opinion. The President of Latvia also stressed that the current regulation, which gives the right to large internet platforms to define the limits of freedom of expression, is problematic.
Egils Levits and Margrethe Vestager also discussed the current geopolitical situation and the role of the European Union (EU) as a global player in the world.
Egils Levits emphasized that the situation in Europe would be stabilised by the accession of Ukraine and Moldova to the EU. "It is important to give Ukraine and Moldova the opportunity to join the European Union as soon as possible, if necessary, by establishing a special transitional regime in certain areas," said the President of Latvia. E. Levits noted that Latvia favours opening official negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU as soon as possible. M. Vestager agreed that this process should take place quickly and pointed out that in the summer the EC will present a report on progress towards bringing Ukraine closer to the EU.
