"The aim of the training course is to improve the professional qualifications of officials in order to ensure a uniform practice of issuing Schengen visas in all diplomatic and consular missions of Latvia strictly applying the requirements of the Schengen acquis, to prevent the entry into Latvia of persons who could endanger national security or violate the rules of residence, while facilitating the receipt of visas by honest immigrants," said the Ministry.
"As a result of the implementation of the project, national security will be promoted and the risks caused by illegal migration will be prevented," it stated.
From April 1, 2024 to December 31, 2026 it is planned that a total of 121 officials or clerks will be trained during the project at a cost of 314,000 euros. That is equivalent to nearly 2,600 euros being spent on each official's visa training.
Financing will come mainly from a European Union fund, the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy (EUR 235,500) plus 78,500 from the State Budget. The project is being implemented in the 2021-2027 programming period of the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy. Its managing authority in Latvia is the Ministry of the Interior.
According to the project schedule, training for consular officials in Warsaw, Poland, will take place this year, followed by training for locally employed staff, consular clerks at missions where visas are issued in Rīga next year, when there will also be training for consular officials in Dublin, Ireland. Then in 2026 there will be training for consular officials in Ankara, Turkey.
