"In a democratic world we stand for values and peaceful co-existence of religion and culture," Latvian Prime Minister Laimdota Straujuma said while declaring the Latvian Presidency plans.

Latvia joined the Union ten years ago and has been part of the Eurozone for the past year. "The responsibility given to us is huge". She expressed solidarity and her condolences on the recent terrorist attacks on France.

"I call for greater respect of other cultures and respect for all people. In a time when extremists try to push us into violence, we must be more humane. The Union should be ready to defend its citizens and its values. All member states must join forces to ensure adequate reaction to the challenge thrown to us, to our way of life. On 2 May there will be a forum on World Press Freedom, where opinions of topical issues will be exchanged. Special attention will be given to European security strategy. We must ensure exchange of information between all services involved. We are talking about minimal amounts of information to allow us to follow certain individuals".

The Presidency will move the data protection package forward as one of its priorities. "I believe Europe will be able to overcome threats and we will not allow terrorists to break our mutual trust and set us against each other as regards to religion and culture".

"Latvia takes over the Presidency at a complicated and challenging time. The Union still feels a financial crisis. Member states and institutions have worked hard to regain market credibility, but slowly and surely the EU is heading towards economic growth. The forecast shows all EU states will see economic growth this year".

"The Eurozone is expanding, with the recent addition of Lithuania. The EU population enjoys freedom and welfare and I believe we can overcome difficulties and take on challenges. In these rough and stressful times we must remember the EU has brought peace. EU citizens want concrete results to improve their everyday life, and we can only achieve this through unified work between the Parliament, Commission and Council".

Three priorities

"We have three main priorities... a competitive Europe, a digital Europe and a globally engaged Europe. We want to strengthen EU competitiveness".

"Attractive environment for investment is our responsibility".  She spoke of the importance of an energy union. "We need solidarity, trust and security to be a basis for our energy union in addition to better infrastructure. Energy union creation will be one of our priorities".

"We will perfect the single market, review the Strategy Europe 2020 and work on the economic and monetary union".

"We wish to further digitalise Europe and fully tap into the EU's digital potential and create a single market in this area. Online consumers need equal access to products". She also spoke about digital security, which could help create jobs and growth.

"Data protection is a key section of the digital market, while also paying attention to consumer rights".

"Europe's neighbours will be a priority and we will work on the EU neighbourhood policy".  She promised that she will look more towards Europes Southern neighbours however will keep the situation on Europe's Eastern boarders a main priority. "migrant issues will also be addressed".

Russia's situation in Ukraine is a problem, she mentioned. "Latvia will be very active in cementing EU unity on this situation". Russian aggression in Ukraine is a question about the security of Europe and the whole world. Europe and the EU must stand by their principles. We must give practical and political support to Ukraine. We have to work with Russia and continue diplomatic dialogue.

During our presidency we will look for a sustainable and peaceful solution in Ukraine by respecting its territorial integrity.

"We will work on the review of the EU strategy on central Asia," she said, adding that the EU must look strongly to that region.

"This year is a year for development and we will focus on the objectives of the UN summit on sustainable development and the fight against poverty".

"We aim at defending the European values, the freedom, democracy and tolerance that identifies Europe by the rest of the world".

I believe the Shengen system and the free movement of persons are the basic principles of the EU. I don't agree with the members who want to stop Shengen as we will show those who attack our values that they can win.

Turning to the TTIP, she believes that it must be a mutually beneficial agreement and both sides must be equal partners. "Considering growing public interest in this, we will actively engage in discussions with Commission and communicate with the public. We must ensure greater transparency on this issue".

Commission President Juncker spoke of the European strategic investment fund, asking members of parliament to accelerate the procedure to help tackle the economic crisis so that the fund will be available by this July.

"Over the next six months the Commission will make proposals regarding 'Digital Europe'", he said.

More importance given to Eastern issues than the Mediterranean - Marlene Mizzi

Maltese MEP Marlene Mizzi said that the Latvian Presidency will begin at a difficult time, with extremism a cause of concern for citizens. "I appreciate that the presidency set a priority to address migration with respect to solidarity and respect, however gave more importance to Eastern European issues than the Mediterranean.  So how will you address the environment and security, issues that directly affect Malta and Italy.  Will the Presidency ensure whether Frontex should include African countries? What about burden sharing with regards to migrants?"

A number of MEPs expressed concern that the Latvian Prime Minister didn't mention poverty and are fed up of talk and want action, as well as the problem of austerity measures. A few also complained about the extensive bureaucracy, where MEPs talk on issues like immigration all the time but never solve anything.

EPP MEP Maria Danuta Hubta said that she is convinced the Latvian Presidency will be a fruitful time for the EU. "I see a chance to see more inter-institutional coordination in the future and I look forward to this. I hope to have a stronger debate on economic policies within the EU in 2015. She urged for more investment in the training of young people for jobs".

S&D MEP Pervenche Beres said that "we need to mobilise around democratic values. We must equip democracy to fight the terrorists in full respect of our values". Regarding taxation, "we need to take effective action at European level".

ECR Marias Notis said that the South of Europe suffers from unemployment, "which is why the Greek debt must be struck off", stating it is the only way to liberate funds which would lead to real growth. He called for an end to austerity.

EFDD party members argued for an end to Shengen in order to protect the EU countries, however were very much on their own in voicing this opinion. One EFDD MEP said that 5,000 extremists fighters have arrived in Europe through immigration according to Europol.