SPr1qg

The National Coordination of EU Policy in Latvia 101
dialogue between government institutions and the public in the formation
of national positions represented in the EU institutions.
6) Sufficient administrative capacities and resources of public service aiming
at the best preparation of national positions on essential EU policy affairs
that matter for Latvia, the most efficient representation in the EU institutions
thereof, and implementation of the decisions made. The most important
capacities of the preparation of a negotiation position are considered
to be the ability to evaluate the issue under consideration in a broader
context of public policy and interests; the ability to present a draft of
the EU legislation to the management, other institutions and interest
groups, and reach a compromise, and the ability to envisage interests of
other institutions, socio-economic partners and coordinate them.
It is proposed to organise the traineeships of public servants in EU
countries, in the Permanent Representation, and in the EU institutions.
An internship at the Permanent Representation to the EU is a means for
broaden ing horizons and acquiring competencies alongside professional
knowledge. Proper selection procedures are essential, as well as the need to
ensure equal opportunities for internship among institutions. Respectively,
it is important to ensure compliance with the terms of rotation to the Permanent
Representation set, and the retaining of returning civil servants in
the civil service.
Not only is the participation in meetings of working groups topical —
the promotion and temporary delegation of national representatives as
national experts to EU institutions is also suggested. Such experience provides
the possibility to take a closer look at decision-making in the EU and
to establish relations with employees of the EU institutions.
Furthermore, active sharing of best practices and participation in the
EU Twinning programme could be further intensified. In order to achieve
a more active dispersion of good practices and to enhance the participation
of national institutions in the EU Twinning programme, it is proposed
to identify the best national reform practices and organise regular public
servant training and consultation on the EU Twinning programme and
practical aspects of participation in specific projects.
Finally, at the level of the MFA, the current coordinating body of EU
membership, it would be especially important to develop employee and
public servant expertise and deepen their knowledge of different EU public