Nomadic Magazine Jun. 2013 | Page 18

Why does Latvia want to join the Eurozone? Taking a Chance Latvia has received a green light from the European Central Bank and European Commission to enter the Eurozone next year, becoming the 18th nation to join. While the Eurozone is closing in on its fourth year of economic turmoil, Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis told his countrymen that the Euro will “foster economic growth, bringing increased foreign investment and upgrades of its sovereign credit ratings.” Despite opposition calls for a referendum, Dombrovski’s government officially applied for Eurozone membership in March without a public mandate. Thirty-eight per cent of the Latvians support the disposal of the Lat as national currency, while 25 per cent strongly oppose and 28 per cent remain sceptical, according to polls. The small, ex soviet country of 2.2m achieved independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, but the presence of Moscow has continued to linger. According to the European Central Bank, the Latvian bank (Latvijas Banka) relies mostly on non-resident deposits, most of which come from Russia. With its entrance to the Eurozone, Latvia will have a say at the European Central Bank, strengthening the country’s ties to Europe – and stepping further away from the influences of Russia. antonio peciccia mobile charges in the eu Calling home in the European Union. The proposed bill will abolish mobile roaming charges for those travelling within the EU. Neelie Kroes, the European Commissioner for Digital Agenda announced last month that the new regulation will be officially enacted by April 2014. Defending the concept of a borderless market, Kroes said this was a necessary step in order to make digital rules match the citizens’ expectations. “There is no other sector of our incomplete European single market where the barriers are so unneeded, and yet so high,” she added, while addressing the members of the European Parliament. Small steps towards this goal will be implemented by July 2013. The cap for roaming charges will be reduced to €0.19 for out-going calls, €0.05 for incoming, as well as €0.40 (per megabyte) for data transfers. Telecom laws are being re-evaluated Currently, the maximum price mobile operators can charge is €0.29, €0.08 and €0.70 respectively (all these prices exclude VAT). The proposal is likely to be unpopular among mobile phone operators. Roaming charges are a big source of revenue. Avoiding the roaming charges will also ensure a better and more open Internet, providing every citizen with the same access to information without the price barriers. “I want you to be able to say that you saved [the constituents] right to access an open Internet by guaranteeing net neutrality,” says Kroes. If implemented, these measures will make a practical difference in the lives of every European citizen – regardless of whether their mobile phones are used for business or leisure. //Carlota Rebelo pablo andrés rivera 16