(Law 212/92)

On the 17th of January, 2003, the Directorate General to the European Countries of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was affixed to the Ministerial Decree n. 060/261 on the granting of a contribution as provided by law n.212/92 for the construction of a training course for 30 officials of the Republic of Latvia. As a foreign partner, the project had the Latvian School of Public Administration. The main objective was to give officials the cognitive tools to enhance the functions of the Latvian Public Administration, in anticipation of EU membership. The training course was subdivided into a General Section and a Specialized Section. The General Section was held in Riga from the 24-28 of March and deepened the understanding of the institutional and legal environment, analyzed the new role of institutions in the process of expansion and priority objectives. The Specialized Section took place in Rome from the 5-24 of May and deepened the economic and social cohesion policy with particular reference to the action programs and financial instruments for acceding countries, the EU’s external relations and issues related to the acquis communautaire in the areas of Justice, security and social affairs. Upon completion of the training, Italian participation in the EU as well as its domestic and foreign policy were observed, helping promote the development and consolidation of relations between Latvia and Italy.