Latvian policymakers and international diplomats are preparing to convene in Riga to address the volatile future of European security and the European Union’s diminishing or expanding influence in a fragmented global order. The high-level international conference, titled “EU Negotiations 2026: Protecting the Future,” is scheduled for Friday, April 10, at the Saeima.
The summit arrives at a critical juncture for the bloc, as it grapples with the dual pressures of internal unity and external threats. Organized by the Saeima Committee on European Affairs in partnership with the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (via the Latvian Institute of Foreign Affairs) and the European Commission Representation in Latvia, the event marks the eleventh edition of this strategic dialogue.
The conference will open with joint addresses from Daiga Mieriņa, Speaker of the Saeima; Andris Kužnieks, Head of the European Commission Representation in Latvia; and Una Aleksandra Bērziņa-Čerenkova, Director of the Latvian Institute of Foreign Policy. Their opening remarks will set the stage for a day of deliberation on how the EU can maintain its relevance and security architecture heading toward 2026.
Defining Strategic Autonomy in a New World Order
A central pillar of the event will be a focused conversation with Foreign Minister Baiba Braže regarding the trajectory of European foreign policy. The discussion is expected to center on the concept of “strategic autonomy”—the EU’s ability to act independently in its own interests without relying solely on external superpowers.
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Analysts and policymakers will analyze the current extent of the Union’s autonomy and its capacity to exert influence within a shifting global hierarchy. This session aims to determine whether the EU possesses the political will and the structural tools to navigate a world characterized by increasing multipolarity and systemic competition.
The dialogue will transition from broad policy goals into several parallel panel discussions and specialized talks, allowing experts to dissect specific regional vulnerabilities and diplomatic opportunities.
Countering Russian Aggression and External Threats
The second phase of the conference will pivot toward the immediate security threats facing the continent. Participants are scheduled to analyze the geopolitical partners the EU must cultivate and the challengers it must neutralize to ensure long-term stability.
A primary focus will be the assessment of strategies to mitigate the impact of Russian aggression. Discussions will likely cover the efficacy of current sanctions, the necessity of sustained military support for partner nations, and the creation of policy frameworks that can prevent further external incursions into EU territory.
By examining these “challengers,” the conference seeks to develop a more robust blueprint for European defense, moving beyond reactive measures toward a proactive strategy of deterrence and resilience.
The Geopolitics of EU Expansion
The summit will conclude with a critical evaluation of the European Union’s enlargement strategy. Decision-makers will weigh the expectations against the political realities of admitting new member states from Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans.
This expansion is not merely an administrative process but a geopolitical necessity. For Baltic and Eastern European states, the accession of neighboring countries is often viewed as a vital security buffer. However, the discussions will also address the internal challenges of integration, including institutional capacity and the potential for voting deadlocks within a larger Union.
To provide a clear overview of the high-level leadership attending the event, the following table outlines the key participants and their roles:
| Participant | Official Role / Affiliation |
|---|---|
| Daiga Mieriņa | Speaker of the Saeima |
| Baiba Braže | Foreign Minister of Latvia |
| Andris Kužnieks | Head of European Commission Representation in Latvia |
| Egils Levits | President of Latvia (2019–2023) |
| Roberts Zīle | Vice-President of the European Parliament |
| Edmunds Cepurītis | Chairman of the Saeima European Affairs Committee |
International Expertise and Digital Access
The breadth of the conference is reflected in its guest list, which includes Members of the European Parliament such as Reinis Pozņaks, as well as parliamentarians from Belgium, Hungary, and Finland. The expertise is further bolstered by researchers and diplomats from Germany, Sweden, Finland, Slovakia, the Netherlands, Lithuania, and France.
For those unable to attend in person at the Baltic Hall (Jēkaba Street 6/8), the proceedings will be accessible to the public. The Saeima official website, as well as the parliament’s Facebook and YouTube channels, will provide live streaming of the sessions.
The conference is scheduled to begin promptly at 9:00 a.m. On Friday, April 10. The outcomes of these discussions are expected to inform Latvia’s positioning within the EU’s broader security negotiations as the bloc looks toward the 2026 horizon.
We invite readers to share their perspectives on EU enlargement and security in the comments below.
