Riga, April 22 (LETA) - Latvia generally supports the abandoning daylight-saving time and would be ready to switch to summer time after the adoption of the legislation, the Economics Ministry told LETA.

The ministry noted that the Transport Ministry had received a letter from the Lithuanian Transport Ministry on April 7 addressed to the responsible authorities of Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Poland and Sweden. The ministry informed the ES that a meeting of the three Baltic states will take place on April 27 to discuss current cooperation topics, including the time change item on the agenda from the Lithuanian side. Latvia's response will be fully in line with the approved national position.

The Economic Ministry noted that Latvia's national position on the abolition of the seasonal time change was approved at the Cabinet of Ministers meeting on February 19, 2019. Latvia is generally in favor of abandoning the seasonal time change and would be ready to move to daylight saving time after the adoption of a legal framework or directive.

At the same time, before making any decisions, the Baltic states and their closest neighbors should reach an agreement on the choice of the time zone that will be set as the base time after the abolition of the seasonal time change, the ministry said.

The ministry pointed out that a full and comprehensive impact assessment should be carried out by the European Commission before decisions are taken. Such an assessment should cover not only direct and indirect economic costs, but also other relevant aspects such as the impact on the functioning of the internal market, public health, transport and cross-border services, digital systems, as well as regional and geographical specifications.

Latvia is ready to engage in discussions and assess possible solutions if the issue is reopened at the European Union (EU) level with a view to achieving a coherent and coordinated solution across the EU, including the Baltic states, the Economics Ministry noted.

As reported, Lithuania’s Transport Minister Juras Taminskas has urged counterparts in Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Finland and Sweden to halt the practice of switching between winter and summer time.

Taminskas said Lithuania cannot remain a passive observer and intends to take action next year to abandon the clock changes.

"I am taking the lead on stopping seasonal time changes and am rallying the Baltic region countries to achieve this common goal. Lithuania will hold the EU Council Presidency next year, providing an opportunity to take real action and stop turning the clock hands once and for all," Taminskas said.

According to the report, the European Commission has already launched an impact assessment study on seasonal time changes. Potential scenarios have been presented, with results expected this summer.