M: What are the first three thoughts that come to your mind when you hear ''European Union'' or ''EU''?

(short pause)

LVFG3_F5: Um, for me it would be the fact that it has made, uh, my life, a little bit easier in the sense that, uh, for example, we can travel freely, we can work and study in any of the EU Member States so that's one of the first things that come to mind. And then, uh, uh, I would say that perhaps, like, um, community, uh, that it has created that we can [sighing] perhaps see us, ourselves, not only as Latvian citizens but Members of the European Union and then, um, the third thing, uh, that would come to mind is, uh, the open economy has created in, uh, for us.

M: Thank you.

LVFG3_F6: So, I'm gonna be very, emm, short in my answer. Umm, so the first thing that comes to my mind is the motto: ''United in diversity'', and the second thing, which is also quite important for me as a student, are the Erasmus programs, and the third one would be equality overall in Europe.

M: Thank you very much.

LVFG3_F3: My answer will be quite similar, the first thing that definitely comes to mind is democracy and then also freedom of travel and freedom in general, how we can share, uh, our communities, and we are united through the EU and the third one.

(short pause)

LVFG3_F3: I guess would be, I don't know, the third thought that comes into my mind when the, the words ''European Union'' are spoken, is probably Brussels in Belgium and sort of the, the capital of Europe. So yeah.

M: Thank you.

LVFG3_M4: Uh, for me, the first thing would be free trade, the second thing would be free travel, and the third, I, I would say is bureaucracy.

M: Thank you.

LVFG3_M2: Um, I guess, for me, the first thing will be no need for visa, so, free travel, yeah, the second one will be, the second, one will be...

(short pause)

LVFG3_M2: Working and residential rights, I guess. (The EU?) borders and, uh, the third, for me, will be, uhm, that in the EU we have kind of the same, uh... We have the... We don't have the same but we kind of have to follow, uh, kind of the same law, LAWS and kind of apply the same rules, for example, the data protection regulation and stuff like that. Yeah...

M: Thank you.

LVFG3_F1: So for me the three things that are... The first one is free traveling. [laughter] The second one is studying abroad, and the third is as well as <name of participant>, as the other participants said, is Brussels.

M: Thank you. How would you describe your overall position or attitude, or feeling towards the European Union?

(short pause)

LVFG3_F5: Um for me it's hard to remember a time when we weren't in the European Union, so, overall and (pretty?) positively, uh, like, my attitude is positive towards that, and, uh, I do see its benefits and, uhm, I plan to use them in the future, so I'm pretty positively ( ).

M: Thank you.

LVFG3_F6: I would agree with the previous, emm, talker that it's pretty positive [laughter]. And, uh, even though I do not see myself as a proper EU citizen, I would even say that i'm more as a, emm, like a Latvian like a proper, uhm, Latvian citizen, not an EU citizen, um, and I still see, uh, the benefits of, emm, yeah living in the U, EU. And, um, yeah, I hope that with time it will only get better. [laughter].

M: Thank you very much.

LVFG3_F3: I will definitely agree as I, I don't think I've lived, or at least remember my life at the time, where it Latvia, I was not in the EU, so it's hard to imagine what the life would be like, so at times, I think I find myself not being grateful enough for the possibility living here but, yeah, definitely my attitude is positive and I'm grateful for all the benefits that it has brought to us.

M: Thank you.

LVFG3_M4: Uh, I am rather positive in relation to the EU. Uh, I value and enjoy the benefits that it has given us. Uh, mostly, the ones I mentioned in the answer to the previous question. Uh, what slightly, um, ruins the attitude towards the EU for me is the recent, uh, recent application of economic measures in relation to the legislations of individual countries. Uh, most, uh, the most, uh, like, the loudest example would be the Poland case. So, yeah, I, I don't think that should be done by the EU, but overall, my attitude is positive.

M: Thank you.

LVFG3_M2: Well, I guess, I have to agree, I have a positive attitude, I'm all thumbs up for the EU, because I really don't see any big disadvantages of being a EU citizen, yeah.

M: Thank you.

LVFG3_F1: I must agree as well, I see only the positive, 'cause the disadvantages aren't, uh, are not right in front of my eyes and like the other participants said that I don't remember myself living in a time where we weren't in the EU as EU participants, so there is nothing, nothing to measure up.

M: Thank you. <Name of participant>, I see your hand up. Do you have a question?

LVFG3_F6: Em, not a question, but I would say, additional info about talking the, about the benefits, uhm, and I can, I think I could specify some of them, which are at least in my mind, and so, some time ago I wrote an essay, emm, so, I took part in a competition about what does Europe mean to me, and some of the things which I found very, like, interesting when I had done the research about European Union, emm, it was about the variety of cultural programs, which are, um, so, which are developed by European Union and also the... (short pause) the way how safe, we can feel in Europe, and also the benefits we get from the, like, how high is our, uhm, health, um... I'm losing the words. [laughter] So hi, how high quality, emm...

M: Do you want to say "our medical system"?

LVFG3_F6: Yes, exactly. [laughter] Thank you!

M: Okay, thank you, thank you. I think we can continue with the next question. Imagine, there is a major natural disaster like an earthquake, flood or forest fire in one of the EU countries. How should the European Union react? What do you think is needed for that? Who should give or take care of it? Let us start with <name of participant>.

LVFG3_F5: Uhm, I think that, uh, the EU, uh, itself should provide, uh, monetary assistance to the country which is in need of it. And then, uh, yeah, to help mitigate the problems that are happening from n event and then, uh, in terms of other participating countries, how they should react just to see what kind of humanitarian aid, perhaps s needed. And, uh, yeah, help in that way, I guess. ( )

M: Thank you. <Name of participant>?

LVFG3_F6: Can I pass this question?

M: Definitely. Mhm, <Name of participant>?

[00:09:00]

LVFG3_F3: Well, [chuckles] I'm not so familiar with, uh, all of the policies and legislation, but I would assume that the EU would help the country, uh, that has faced this disaster, and also the neighboring countries and other countries of the EU would most probably give some aid, uh, because at some point the other countries might as well, face this disaster, and they would very much appreciate the help.

M: Thank you.

LVFG3_M4: Yeah, uh, so, I believe that the first thing that should be done, uh, we should evaluate the, uh, impact of this national ca... catastrophe, and, then, uh, according to the evaluation, uh, firstly, the EU should, uh, provide some financial support, if that is needed, and (in?), em, of course the neighboring countries... uh, uh, if it is necessary, uh, should provide things like humanitarian support or perhaps just, uh, I don't know, let's say - firefighters, or, or, what other human resources needed to fix the problem as soon as possible.

M: Thank you.

LVFG3_M2: Um, yeah, I would say, EU should provide some funding to the country and, uh, the neighboring countries, I suppose, should provide some, I guess, material or some kind of work... working (support?) I suppose, support. For example, <name of participant> mentioned firefighters or, uh, for example, I can say about the material support - Sweden is, I think so, uh, at some time in October or something like that gave us the ventilators when we're in a heavy, like, Covid crisis so, ah, that kind of support, I guess, would be provided from the neighboring countries.

M: Thank you very much, thank you.

LVFG3_F1: Uh, yes, I would agree with the funding part that the EU should help the country that is in need. And the other EU participant countries could help by, for example, just looking at their resources that are the best, for example in Latvia has the most firefighters, they could help out or even army people like just going hand by hand and helping country to get out of its crisis.

M: Thank you very much. The next question is very similar to which you already started to answer. How should other EU countries react, and maybe, those of you who did not respond to that in the previous question, maybe you can elaborate, how should other EU countries react. Not Latvia, but other countries.

(short pause)

M: Maybe, <name of participant> ? Do have something in your mind?

LVFG3_F6: Emm, knowing that, uh, that we have a lot of information going on, especially if it's a time of catastrophes, for example, uh, I think, for other countries, it would be important not to give too much of, I wouldn't, say false information, but to give concentrated information so it's clear to everyone, so there is no, I would say, false advertisement, let's say it like that. And, uh, yeah, that's probably, uhm, (what?) wouldn't make people more stressed, I guess.

M: Okay, thank you. Thank you. <Name of participant>, do you have anything to add?

LVFG3_F3: Well, um, yeah, I definitely agree with all the previous answers. Uh, maybe we are assessing the extent of the catastrophe of the disaster than the other countries could provide for example healthcare workers and the firefighters, as mentioned previously, maybe some materials as well to repair the damages and something like that.

M: Thank you. Anybody else, <name of participant>, yeah.

LVFG3_M4: Yeah, I don't think I have seen those things happening before, but, uh, what I think that would definitely have a place in the EU is that the countries, the individual Member States, uh, could perhaps, uh, provide some informational campaign, and, uh, perhaps even, uh, I wouldn't say, that push people in order to donate because that is the choice with every single individual, however, if there were some, uh, for such cases, if there were some official foundation, uh, foundations that, uh, would, uh, give, give the money to helping the people that have suffered from the catastrophe, then informing the citizens of each country, that they have such a possibility to donate directly, I think that would, uh, that would promote the help of the individuals, and I think that would be beneficial.

M: Thank you. <Name of participant>?

LVFG3_F3: Uh, yeah, maybe adding to that, maybe volunteer groups from other EU countries who would volunteer to help, eh, the country in the disaster.

M: Thank you very much. Thank you, now we are coming to the question: How should Latvia react to such situations. Shall we start with <name of participant>?

LVFG3_F5: Yeah, um, I think that Latvia, well, probably very much depends on what has been the event. Uh, but we do have, uh, very skilled people. So, in terms of human res... resources, perhaps we could help. Uh, Uhm, I don't know. Maybe I'll think of something, but I don't know what to say at the moment.

M: Okay. Thank you. Thank you. <Name of participant>? How do you think how should Latvia react in such a major national disaster case?

LVFG3_F6: - Kno... knowing that the whole topic is about the European Union, I think, also Latvia should, uhm, act, the same as other European countries should, so it's all the same. I think it's only fair that way. [laughter] As we talked about before.

M: Yes, thank you. <Name of participant>?

LVFG3_F3: Well, it also depends on the extent of the disaster, but, most probably, we should express our condolences, even though we may not be able to help, with, uh, the with money and monetary aid but, but, well, yeah, maybe... I mean, we have different... Well. The human resources are tight in Latvia, but we have maybe, like, materials, where we can help rebuild the houses, if there are any damaged. So I'm, I'm not particularly sure if we would be able to help, uh, in a major way but definitely, condolences and at least some volunteers would be ( ).

M: Thank you. <Name of participant>?

LVFG3_M4: Yeah, so, uh, I mean, apart from sending a lot of potatoes, [laughter] uh, I mean, yeah, we should definitely, uh, just inform our society about it, I know, and, and express our support. Uh, then again, I'm not sure we can provide that much of support in terms of catastrophe, since our internal, uh, resources are struggling with our own. Uh, yeah, but, but yeah, I believe that, uh, the Latvian society is rather understanding and there would be, uh, some donations, if that would help. Like not from the government budget, but from the individuals, just as a, a good gesture, uh, uh, yeah.

M: Thank you, thank you. <Name of participant>?

LVFG3_M2: Well, I think we should obviously express our condolences or support. Something like that. I would agree with <name of participant>. I guess, we should try to help equally as other countries in some, any kind of way, I think we should offer the support we can provide. Other than that, I don't really know. [chuckles]

M: Thank you yeah. <Name of participant>?

[00:18:00]

LVFG3_F1: Uhm, of course, as the previous speakers mentioned - giving condolences and helping out as much as we can and, uh, being there for the country, even though (like?) looking at the European Union as one. In a lot of places live a lot of citizens and Latvians live in a lot of the countries, so there is a big possibility, a little (part of?) Latvians going to live in that place and just helping out our own, our own citizens in our own, uh, how would we say- brothers and sisters and just maybe reaching out to them and asking if they need help and just being there for them.

M: Thank you. Talking about the same situation - if there was a need to send a crisis management team, for example, firefighters and doctors to another country, do you think Latvia should do it and who should cover the costs for the support? We start with <name of participant>.

LVFG3_F5: Um, I think that, uh, Latvia should consider doing it. But in terms of sending our doctors... if it's a situation where we can spare someone and people are ready and willing to go, I think that, uh, we should participate, we should help people if we can and, uh, the cost of it should be covered by EU funds. ( )

M: Latvia shouldn't cover the costs, but the EU in general should cover the costs, yes?

LVFG3_F5: Maybe parts of it definitely should, uh, find some funding, 'cause most likely that disaster is not going to happe... to affect only the one country where it happens, but also the whole economy. So, I think yeah, at least partly the costs should be covered.

M: But we can send our doctors, yes?

LVFG3_F6: Um, so, I think that there are already some regulations which, from which, uhm... people are doing things in case of a cata... catastrophe, emm, but, yeah, I think that, uhm, like, for example, uhm, from Latvia, we can consider that, yes, I agree with that, but I also think that there are countries which are equipped with better - not, for example, better quality doctors - but, like, equipment, like, cars or machines, or any kind of technical support, let's say like that. Yeah, we can also consider that but, uh, why shouldn't we, uh, allow other countries to, uhm, do it with better quality equipment, yeah.

M: Okay, and how about the costs?

LVFG3_F6: Uh, so, I agree with the previous speaker that it should be, also, uh, also, [laughter] uhm, from the EU funds also not from any country specifically, but there is a, uhm...

LVFG3_F3: Uhm, yes, so I would say that if the situation in Latvia allows us to provide some health care workers or firefighters, we should consider it. However, it should be voluntary, voluntary as if the people should agree to going to this crisis management team and participating in it, not it being a specific legislation where people have to do it. Uhm, and about the costs, I would say that it should be, uh, split between the EU and Latvia together, not only by the EU. UH, I'm not sure I can elaborate on that it's just how I think it should be. [chuckles]

M: Thank you. <Name of participant>?

LVFG3_M4: Yeah, uhm, so, I, I, I agree, I agree with the previous speakers. Uh, we are somewhat... well, our situation is somewhat fine when it comes to the human resources in the, uh, in the specific services. However, our technical possibilities are quite lacking behind. Does it... If the situation is that we can actually help, uh, so, for example, I know that our navy quite good. Uh, so, I believe that then, yeah, sure, uhm, our doctors and firefighters are, yeah, well, it's quite bad. Uh, when it comes to the costs, I will disagree with the previous speakers. I think that the EU should not, uh, fund any of this, uh, because, uh, I believe, that help in such situations is voluntary and it's, uh, a gesture of goodwill. Thus it shouldn't be specifically the choice of the each individual Member State. Ehm, why, I am against you financing such things, uhm, is that that means, ah, that all countries, uh, since the EU is, like, a shared money pit than the than the each country will, uh, uh, finance that... and in times, uh, when part of the EU countries is struggling financially I think that's inadequate.

M: Thank you. <Name of participant>?

LVFG3_M2: [Cough] Yeah, and, uh, I would also have to agree. Uh, we think, we should, uh, provide help if we can, if we can manage. And about the financial side I, I would say that the EU should provide funding if the EU is asking for countries, uh, for the help. So, I guess if, if, if a country as... voluntarily, I guess, giving any kind of help, I think they shouldn't be, yeah, funded by themselves.

M: Thank you. <Name of participant>?

LVFG3_F1: Uh, in my opinion, as one of the previous speakers said, uh, our navy is really good, and I think that is quite known in Latvia that our navy is really strong and, and I think that is the one of the things, one of the parts that we could help out with like, for instance I don't know, if it's a flood, we could go, the navy could go and help out as much as people that we could give and help with the, the ruins and cleaning up everything and something like that. But, um, in other factors, I think we could, um, open up our eyes on different countries, eh, 'cause in Latvia our human resources, as the other participants said, are limited and I think that maybe in other countries, there are stronger and more, more people that can help out. And for the funding I don't really know a lot about funding in the EU. Uh, if I, if I'm open about that, but, uh, I think, uh, because of it, if it would have happened in this Covid situation, I think the EU should have financed it, because for all the countries it's really hard and it's a, a difficult time.

M: Thank you. And the last question about this scenario is how do you particularly feel - do you have a responsibility personally to help out?

(short pause)

LVFG3_F5: Um, I do think that I have responsibility. I feel like, uhm, I've gained a lot from uh, others in general. UH, eh, not just because we are in the EU, but, uh, because of the way that our society here in Latvia and in the EU is build, so, I would try to find ways where I can help how I can benefit, not only my country but, uh, like, uh, the place that I live in which is here. So, I do see a sense of responsibility there.

M: Thank you very much. <Name of participant> ? Do feel responsibility for helping other countries?

LVFG3_F6: Maybe it sounds selfish but knowing that, emm, I can not always help with the way people want to, it makes me not want to go into the situation at all. Emm, of course, there are some, uhm, some little things which I can do, but usually I tend to say no, because sometimes it just makes me feel like - there are less problems in this world, when I do not think about them [laughter]. Even if I don't know something bad, bad things are happening there and, yeah, as I mentioned before, uh, I know that there will be people who are going to do it with more, I don't know, yeah, they, they're just going to do it in my place. Of course, if something happens in my private life or near my family or something like that it's going to feel different. But knowing that it's happening in other countries and doesn't really impact me right now I tend not to put myself in these situations.

M: Thank you, thank you. <Name of participant>?

[00:28:00]

LVFG3_F3: Uhm, I definitely feel some sort of responsibility towards, uh, the EU and disasters, if any of the participant countries come into one. Uh, well, even though I most probably can't help the country in need of aid, on my own, I can still educate others and my friends, you know, the, the social media, posts and sharing. Uh, I think, education, educating others and fr... friends, family, in general people around me can also be beneficial, because then the information can spread and maybe together we can find a way to help.

M: Thank you. Thank you. <Name of participant>?

LVFG3_M4: Yeah, so, the short answer would be no [laughter]. Uh, to expand and elaborate I, I really dislike the word "responsibility". Uh, so, like, would I be willing to help? Yes. Do I feel like I am responsible for helping some other country? No. As, as I mentioned previously it's a gesture of goodwill and, uh, your own choices, but it's not our responsibility.

M: Thank you. <Name of participant>?

LVFG3_M2: Yeah and I also would have to disagree that I don't feel responsible because I guess, yeah, it's not really my responsibility and I feel, like, yeah, the responsibility really is for the higher authorities than me. So, I guess...

M: Thank you. <Name of participant>?

LVFG3_F1: In my opinion, maybe I'm not responsible, like, a 100%, but there are some facts, like, for instance, the same thing is Erasmus, like - I get to go for free in a lot of countries in the EU and see the culture and see the people and learn about things for free, so why wouldn't I give something back? Why would I just sit there and act like everything is okay, in... not in a bad sense of course, it's not that I'm mocking anyone, but I think, uh, as the other participants said, that may be educating people around us is just a very good way because you don't put in a lot of resources for yourself but you're opening up to, to other people and helping them to expand their view of something in the EU.

M: Thank you very much, thank you. So, we now we come to another scenario. If economic crisis happens again and some countries are negatively affected or hit harder than others. How should Latvia react? (short pause) <Name of participant>, or maybe we should think a little bit?

LVFG3_F5: Could you, maybe repeat?

M: If an economic crisis happens, like we had in 2009, for example? Or any other crisis which you can imagine, like a financial crisis, economic crisis, and some countries are more negatively or harder hit than others. How should Latvia react? [laughter] Latvia would most probably be hit the hardest, but anyway how exactly in this is case - how should we react?

LVFG3_F5: Maybe I'll allow someone else to go first. [laughter]

M: Okay, okay. Maybe we start with <name of participant> [laughter] Okay, we start with <name of participant>. He will have an opinion for sure. [laughter]

LVFG3_M4: [laughter] Yeah, I do. I mean, in this case - express our condolences. [laughter] But, yeah, th, th, the what differs here from the, uh, natural disasters is that, uh, the, uh, impact of economic crisis, eah, is, I believe, solely determined by that country's economic policy prior to that which is, uh, determined by the, uh, democracy in that specific country. Uh, so essentially those people are responsible for their actions and their choices such as Latvians when the housing crisis hit us the hardest. And, uh, although I do appreciate the help, uh, from the EU that we received back then, uh, I believe that, well, uh, th... there's no one else to blame than that specific country, and thus we express our condolences and wish you all the best. [laughter]

M: Thank you. Thank you. <Name of participant>?

LVFG3_M2: Well, I really don't have that much to say, but I guess I would agree with <name of participant> . The only, I guess situation I would see that Latvia should react was if Latvia was, uh, in a way, kind of responsible... not responsible, but uh, uh, took part in, like, the reasoning of the cri... of the financial crisis or yeah, anything like that. Then I should, then I think Latvia should maybe react. I don't think we could, like, react with any kind of help with that [chuckles], but, uh, yeah, I think, uh, probably the, the situation will be that we would express our condolences.

M: Thank you. <Name of participant>?

LVFG3_M4: Yeah.

M: Your hand is up.

LVFG3_M4: Uuh, I just wanted to know that <name of participant> it I remember, I remember that I, uh, didn't express one, didn't mention one specific, like, detail. It's that if this crisis occurs due to external factors, uh, that are, for example, political like we are currently seeing with the Lithuanian firms, uh, suffering losses, uh, due to the Chinese on official sanctions then I believe that we should, as much as we can't, uh, support them, because if the, if it's if the reason for the crisis is an ideology that we stand for, and we believe in, uh, then I believe that we should stand strong together and support each other as much as we can.

M: Thank you. <Name of participant>, your hand is up.

LVFG3_F5: Umm, kind of how I understood this question, uhm, from where I look at it, then there really isn't that much that Latvia could do, because our economy makes up such a small part of the whole EU. So, our decisions are most likely, likely going to be based on what the other countries are doing, what are the decisions of the EU going to be, what, uhm, what everyone around us is doing so we can't really affect anyone that much by what we do. Okay, we can of course make some extremely stupid decisions, uh, drag the Baltics into the ground and things like that, but, uh, other that, I don't see that much of an impact.

M: Thank you. Thank you. Any other opinion, please. <Name of participant>?

LVFG3_F2: Yes, I could add that, so, let's imagine Latvia doesn't get hit by this economic crisis and other countries have been. Uhm, and how should Latvia react - I think we shouldn't and even if it sounds harsh, I think, everyone is kind of a survivor on their own, so they should kind of at least think a little bit into the future - what would they do if an economic crisis would happen... you might, if they have any savings or anything like that... When we are not going into some details and so. Uhm, so, yeah, we are kind of a... I don't like to say that, but we are kind of a poor country and - with what can we help? Like, condolences - okay, but anything else - no. [chuckles]

M: Thank you, thank you. <Name of participant> ?

LVFG3_F3: Eh, yeah, well, uhm, if we put Latvia in, in the, in the place where we suffer the crisis, I, as a citizen, I would definitely be more than happy if another country would help us. So that's the reason, partial reason for my answer being I would be more than happy if Latvia could help the country in need of aid in such situation. But I'm not too sure if we can help somehow and if we can then that would be very much appreciated, but maybe it's my lack of knowledge, but I just don't see it happening realistically.

M: Thank you. Thank you know.

LVFG3_F1: Hmm, as the previous speaker said, maybe it is my lack of knowledge in this secto... section, but I don't think Latvia has such a big impact on the economy on, in the EU that we could really help out because, as you said, first, the first thing that popped into my head is that Latvia would be the first that would be in the crisis. [laughter]

[00:38:00]

M: Thank you, thank you. In connection with this question - if Latvia is negatively affected, how should other EU countries react? (short pause) We start with <name of participant>.

LVFG3_M4: Uh, [laughter] I'm gonna begin the same way I began the last and send condolences [laughter]. But other than that if they're... Okay, so we have to look at the situation, a, eah, as a whole, uh, so, I believe that Latvia is, is, what, like point 5% of the whole European economy, something (like?) that, so, if, uh, some other country, a large country such as, uh, I don't know, Germany or France is not affected by a crisis and can help us without suffering any, uh, like, damages, uh, to their economy, any sufficient damages to their economy, eah, I would be more than happy if they did that. However, once again, I believe that, eah, the, the crisis that we end up in again like in the previous question, unless it's a, it's an outcome of ideology and external forces and then that is our own responsibility and, fortunately, the more help we get the less we as a nation learn from our mistakes and chose, chosen, choosing, uh, our politicians who again determine the, uh, economic path of the country.

M: Thank you, thank you. Shall we continue with <name of participant> ?

LVFG3_F5: Yeah, uhm, yeah, I agree with what <name of participant> said about, uh, seeking help from other countries. If we can get it that's so great, but I kind of see it as a problem, perhaps not so much to other countries, but, uh, to the higher instances most likely, uh, the European institutions, International Monetary Fund and, uh, seeing what happens there but it's hard to speculate in an entirely theoretical question [laughter] with so many things left unknown. But, yeah, I do see that all the countries ( ) economy should somehow see how they can help us. But not much to elaborate here.

M: Thank you. Thank you. <Name of participant>?

LVFG3_F6: Well, if there are countries who can and who want to help us that's great. We can take it, like, we can take their, their help. That's probably, that's probably gonna to bring us to a great, I would say, but in a positive way, of course. But if not, well, as I said, we are responsible for ourselves. Yeah, we are survivors our own. [laughter]

M: Thank you.

LVFG3_F3: Yeah, so, um, I will definitely agree with all of the previous speakers that if the, there were external forces that caused the crisis, uh, countries should be, should, should help and the help would be very much appreciated. And even if the crisis wasn't caused by external forces, then, you know, any kind of health, help, would most probably be appreciated, but if we brought ourselves into this mess than we should somehow get out of it. So, yeah that would be my position in this case.

M: Thank you.

(long pause)

LVFG3_M2: Well, I would, I would also say that probably, uh, other countries shouldn't help realistically but, uh, I guess if they voluntarily offer us help, it'll be pretty nice [chuckles]. But, um, yeah, I'd say it will be the responsibility of the EU to kind of help out in that kind of crisis. But, uh, again, as I answered the previous question, I guess, if other countries, other countries we're kind of responsible or kind of took part in kind of the beginning of the crisis, uh, I guess, they should help maybe, but uh they probably would also be in crisis. So I don't really see that as a realistic option, yeah.

M: Thank you very much. <Name of participant>?

LVFG3_F1: Just like the previous speaker said, if maybe, umm, we only if the other countries voluntarily would help us, would be open to help us, but in other ways, I agree that it is our problem, we need to get out of it and it's our responsibility.

M: Thank you and concluding this scenario: If Latvia received this financial support from other EU countries should Latvia also obey to certain restrictions or rules coming with it?

(short pause)

LVFG3_F5: Yeah I think that, uh, uh, uh, receiving aid does not necessarily mean that you can just, uh, do whatever with it, that, uh, obviously you've come to the situation because of, uhm, decisions that have been made. And, therefore, if, if, if, if the country is receiving help, financial help than it should come with restrictions.

M: Thank you.

LVFG3_F6: So, if we asked for help, yes, maybe so that we have to obey some rules which come with the financial support or any other support. But if we didn't and the country just decided to: ''yeah, you know, we're just gonna support you'' and we still decided to take the (grief?) to the support well I don't think that would be really fair. [chuckles]

M: Thank you.

LVFG3_F3: Yeah, I will, uh, agree with <name of participant> [cough] I'm not too sure if, if the country offered but there would also, you know... but my thoughts are very divided on this one, because if the aid was offered voluntarily, then I don't think we should, uhm, voluntarily take it and have also restrictions and rules, we need to follow after that. But if, yeah, I'm, I'm not so sure I can answer that fully. I'm very divided on this one. [chuckles]

M: Thank you.

LVFG3_M4: Right, uhm, this is a rather complex question. Uhm, firstly... where do I even begin... Eh, okay so firstly, we have the choice, eah, to not accept the financial aid if it comes with some, some obligations if those obligations are against our national interests, for example. And I, I wouldn't blame the government for that if I saw it the same way as they did. Uh, uh, why I'm answering it this way is because I believe that financial help, uh, should not be used as a , uh, tool for impacting the, uh, policy of a specific, uh, EU Member State. Uh, again, as I previously mentioned with the case with Poland - uh, then again, on the other hand, we saw the Gree... Greece crisis and, uh, how responsible they were when it came to spending the money. Uh, so I do see the the reasoning behind it. So, I would say that it has to be evaluated, depending on the special, specific, uh, like, uh, requirements that the financial aid comes with. Uhm, right and then I wanted to say that, uhm, I would, like, I would understand both ways, this is really a question of evaluating the, uh, what is required from, from Latvia, in this case. Uhm, yeah, uhm. (Oh?) I forgot I had just, like, one thing that I wanted to say that we conclude this all - uh, yeah, so, pretty much to sum it up it's that, uhm, we have to look at the the, the requirements that we are faced with, and the severity of the crisis. Uhm, so, yeah, if it's a, if you're, you're really, you're looking at people dying from starvation, then I guess that, well you, you really have no choice. But then in any other case, perhaps we should, yeah, get a look at it.

M: Thank you. Thank you very much.

LVFG3_M2: Uh, all I think - it depends on the rules, uh, 'cause I guess the... We have the chance, I guess, to not take the support if the rules are, let's say bad for us, or would not really be in our interests. But the role of the support would probably come together with the rules, so, [cough] yeah, uh, yeah, we would really need to discuss... I guess what we really need the support. And, uh, now, yeah. I guess, uhm, yeah, the support probably would be I guess in our interest, so if the roles are really, really, when do real damage to us, I guess, we should obey the rules yeah.

[00:48:00]

M: Thank you.

LVFG3_F1: In my opinion, eahm, we should, as the other speakers said, we should look at the, the things that they are offering for us versus the things they want us to do until ( ) to them. If it's too much, I think we shouldn't agree on it, but, but it depends on the situation and, what is the thing that they are asking from us.

M: Thank you. <name of participant>, yes?

LVFG3_M4: Yeah I remember that one, that one last thought I wanted to say. Uh, it's that, well, again, I was quite, I was quite young when, uh, when the housing prices occurred. Uh, but I don't really recall the, uh, involvement of the society in taking, uh, taking, uh, the path out of it. Uh, and I feel like informing the society of what help we can get and, eh what is required from us in return, eh, is crucial and that, uh, that, uh, because, essentially, then the politicians who are elected for one term, for, for example, can make a decision that will impact the whole nation for 10 or more years. Uh that's the thing I wanted to say.

M: Thank you. So now we come to the last scenario, and it is on social dimension. Consider that there are inequalities between countries and between people within a country. Should the European Union have a common program or common fund to decrease social inequalities? For example, given the increasing income gap in societies or something. I will repeat that, once again. Consider that we have inequalities between countries and between people within a country. Should the EU have a common program or fund to decrease social inequalities?

LVFG3_F5: [Chuckles] Yes, uh, I think that I strongly believe that, uh, the EU should strive for the, for decreasing the inequalities because of, kind of, I see that the EU is a membership of states and we should strive for all of these states, uh, to be equal, equal opportunity, equal in what we can gain, how we can help people what the, how the society strives and so on. So I do think that it is an issue of the other Member States, not only of the country, uhm, within where we can see like more prominent, uh, these, uh, inequalities ( ). So, yeah, yeah I'm a strong believer that we should help.

M: Thank you. Thank you very much.

LVFG3_F6: So, knowing that, eh, convention of EU is already there, and, well, the main idea, no, not the main idea, but one of the main ideas is that, eh, the people have equal rights, and they are uhm... So basically that everyone, ehm, has the right to speak freely and they have the, emm, equal support and so on. And if in some, if in some countries it's not really, emm, well, in the same way as it is in other countries, then something is wrong. Then the question is what is wrong? Why is it not working as it should? So, I guess there are like some different and maybe deeper problems which have to be solved. But, yeah, other than that, if we are in the European oni, Union and then, uh, oh yeah, then why isn't it working? [chuckles]

M: Thank you. Thank you.

LVFG3_F3: I will agree with the, the first speaker <name of participant> I strongly also believe that some sort of a fund, or something should be invented to not equalize but to sort out the inequalities in the gaps, because I feel like if we, uh, conquer the large inequality in all of the gaps, then, uh, you know, as a Union, as a union of, uh, many countries and different, different countries very different countries, it would be easier to work with one and another if the inequality, inequality would be much lesser... if I can say that. But, yeah, I think it would definitely help and all of the aspects of the European Union.

M: Thank you.

LVFG3_M4: Yeah, so, I will start by saying that I'm not a big fan of fighting inequalities drama. I will explain why. To begin with, that fully support equal rights to all citizens. That is not under question here. How I understood the question is, it's mostly about income inequality. And here I believe that again people are responsible for this situation they have ended up in and we're responsible for getting out of it. And I want to say that th is a very good motivator for doing more things than other people are doing. So, given that each individual has the right and access to education, to other support programs to, for example, economic grants for starting your own business I believe that getting out of the situation, is your sole responsibility. We should not help such individuals. Why? Because it discourages the more wealthy people to work more and it encourages some poor people to abuse even these programs and get free money and I don't think that's fair.

M: Thank you.

LVFG3_M2: Um, well, the EU stands for equality, so I guess it would be only fair, what would be the right thing to do for EU to, I guess, provide some funding to fight, uh, to fight the inequality. So, um, yeah, I think, uh, it's, it is the way to go, so to say, but, uh, I think, yeah, in this situation, the EU should give the funding from the budget they have. So, yeah, and they, and if there is, yeah.

M: Equalize inequality?

LVFG3_M2: So, I guess not, well, I guess you can't, like, equalize the quality with money. But, uh, but I guess fun... some, I don't know, some social, uh, I don't know. I don't know how they do that [laughter], but, uh, so, kind of fun the, uh, these, I don't know, projects or anything seminars they do or stuff like that. I don't really know how it happens, but, uh, yeah, because technically, yeah, in the EU with the kind of the law situation... Technically, there is equality everywhere, but, uh, in reality, reality there is not, yeah. I really don't know, how they kind of could, kind of do that... how they help kind of, yeah. Uh, kind of cur... I don’t know, kind of help the equal ways. But, yeah the EU should. Yeah, my answer is that the EU should with their funding.

M: Thank you. Thank you.

LVFG3_F1: So, I've, I've, had I've seen some research done on this and I don't remember where I saw it, or where I heard it, but there was, uhm, some particular... particularly in Latvia about funding for, uh, kids that are from poor families and funding their education. But in the research, they said that, uh, a lot of the parents just went and drank it off in alcohol and didn't do anything with the money. So in my opinion, the thing that I think the EU should do is not maybe fund the families, but open up, like, I don't know some projects where you can educate the kids from the family, so they don't end up as their parents. I don't know, something like that, like, educating people on that or opening up because I personally, I've done Erasmus projects in this field of ine... inequality and about people even from ra... different races from different places and everything like that, and I think it's just a, all in the education. It's all inside education, not in the funding and the giving money.

M: Thank you, thank you very much.

[00:59:00]

M: Should the European Union have a wide scheme to deal with unemployment in all countries, funded by all EU Member States? So, the schemes are funded by every Member State and, should the EU have such a scheme in order to deal with unemployment?

LVFG3_F5: Hmm, uhm, I think that, uh, as an idea it's not bad. However, uh, how to see (it?) implemented, it would need a lot of work with, uuh... The EU can just push money at this problem because, uh, unemployment is also very wide discussion, in my opinion, [chuckles], is rooted, uh, can be rooted in many things. Uh, 'cause always be seen as something entirely bad. And can we really tackle it as, uh, the EU as a whole it's - it's hard to say because most likely that, uh, each Member State has its own problems within it. Uh, perhaps we could benefit from, like, uh, a mutual fund that comes from, uh, the EU. But it's hard for me to say right now.

M: Thank you, thank you.

LVFG3_F6: Uhm, I think that the scheme had to be with the clear structure and probably very detailed. So it's... so we get the idea how it's supposed to work, and so it doesn't cause any more problems, probably because, for me, I don't really have any idea what they could do to fully, uh, deal with the employment in every member country. Uhm, yeah, 'cause right now people, they really choose to go into other member countries and work there and they live fine there, it's okay. But, uh, the overall problem... I don't really think it can be fully solved.

M: Thank you.

LVFG3_F3: Well, uh, if a scheme, such as this one would be possible, and it would be possible to implement, it wouldn't be the worst thing. And if I understood the question correctly, it, it's for, uh, all of the Members of the European Union. So, if a person from one country decides to go to another country and not work there, it would still somehow affect the person. So, I think it wouldn't be the worst thing at all. It's just, it would be very difficult to make it work and make everybody participate because somebody would probably find a loophole still in the system and yeah.

M: Thank you, thank you.

LVFG3_M4: Yeah, I'm going to go a bit controversial and say that this is like fighting the monster in your closet. The problem is it's not there. Uh, I myself have an economic background and, uh, my opinion is that as long as you don't have an employee... an employment rate of, of 15% it's not a problem. That's, the first thing, and the second thing, uh, I believe that, rather than uh, fighting unemployment on an uh... individual level, uh, the EU should focus more on, uh, on helping people helping, entrepreneurs, uh, start their businesses. Uh, and the end result is the same, because those people when they started a business, they would need to hire people, so unemployment gets solved either way. Uh, it's just that there is a less risk of the, uh, monetary help being, uh, uh, abused, such as unemployment benefits, which often motivate people to stay unemployed. Uh, and why I believe that helping on the individual level is, uh, uh, an incorrect... reason number two is that, uh, with the freedom of travel, that we have in the European Union, uh, you can go and work for any country you like. And I believe that if a person cannot get a job in any of the EU Member States it's more of a they're problem than an EU problem, so to speak.

M: Thank you.

LVFG3_M2: Well, I guess, I wouldn't support this just because, uh, every, every member of the EU would kind of have to participate in the funding, if I understood correctly. Uh, cause I think it's each country's government's job, I guess, to fight unemployment if there is so, as <name of participant> just mentioned. So, yeah, uhm, I wouldn't support it just because I think it's each country's government's job. Yeah.

M: Thank you.

LVFG3_F1: Uhm, as one of the previous speakers said, I think the scheme would be a good idea, but you need to look long term and how to realize..., uh, to make it real and how to..., uhm, put it in people's life so they are open. Cause, as we know, a lot of the people, even in Latvia and some of the other countries are really closed mind, so it will be real..., it would be really hard to open them up to the idea.

M: Thank you. We have two more questions in this scenario. If there is a high unemployment in some country, should the EU try to reduce it?

(short pause)

LVFG3_F5: Hmm, my question then would be, how can the EU really reduce it? Can, uh, like, people have been given opportunities to work in the EU. There is most likely, at least, in Latvia, I believe it's another Member States as well, uh, support for, uh, unemployed people, So, I'm having a hard time seeing how exactly can the EU just, uh, reduce it in general, create, uh, create job opportunities. Maybe then we have to look at what kind of skills those people have and what the EU needs. And, uh, it's, auh, harder, I think, in practice, than just saying: ''Should the EU help?'' Probably the EU should help, but the better question is: How can it help?

M: Thank you.

LVFG3_F6: Well isn't high employment rate already the thing we are wanting to move forward? So, uh, I mean, I don't see any, mmm, problems, uh, with the high employment rate, maybe some people who have economic background, they would know that?

LVFG3_F6: That, that, so, Can I give the... Can I have a little bit of time for thinking...?

M: Of course, of course, of course.

LVFG3_F3: Uhm, so if the unemployment rate in the long term keeps only growing and the country itself can't do anything about reducing it, and creating more job opportunities, then I think the EU should try to help somehow. Maybe with the... you know, it's about creating opportunities and I'm, uh, very much about informing and educating th, the society because, even though we seem to think that there are a lot of opportunities and information, a lot of people don't REACH this information that we have. So I think it would definitely be beneficial if the EU could at least help somehow educate people that there are job opportunities abroad. And sometimes, yes, it's about abusing the unemployment benefits and everything about that, but there are also a lot of cases where people are simply not informed of the opportunities that they have, so, yeah.

M: Thank you.

[01:09:00]

LVFG3_M4: Yeah, uhm, right, so, working with the individuals, uh, I believe that, yeah, it should be done. I'm not sure that should be funded by the EU since it's in the interests of the specific country to decrease their unemployment, but if the EU is willing to, uh, sponsor it, sure, why not? You know Uh, however, uhm, like, I'm not sure that it is in the interests of the EU to promote working abroad, uh, since, from what I have... what I have seen, uh, here in Latvia, people are rather negatively... uh, they have a rather negative opinion towards working abroad. And it doesn't really improve the image of the EU, you know? So, since this, uh, eah, typical Latvian: "blah blah blah, everything is bad, everyone went working abroad yada yada..." and it's not an interest, of the country itself, since it loses, uh, uh, employed people here and less taxes come in, it's hard to pay pensions and what not. Uh, but if we're talking about economic stimulus that would increase the job, uh, opportunities in that specific country, uh, then the EU as, uh, as whole benefits from it, since there is more economic activity, eahm, or more things produced and what not. Therefore, yeah, if it is, if it is realized correctly, then, yeah, I do support ( ).

M: Thank you.

LVFG3_M2: Um, well, if the EU, kinda, uhm, uh, sees a way how to help decrease the employment rates in, uuuh, the country that's in crisis in that field, I guess, I guess yeah, the EU should give some fundings. And, yeah, but, uh, other than that, I think I don't really have anything to add.

M: Thank you.

LVFG3_F1: In my opinion, the EU should help but I'm just not really informed about this thing. I'm just not really in it, so I don't know what say, but in my opinion, they could help, but then is the question for me – how, how would they help?

M: Thank you. Thank you and the last question in this scenario - in the last scenario. Should Latvia contribute to reducing unemployment in an other EU country, even if this would imply additional costs for Latvia? Should Latvia contribute to reduce unemployment in other country, even if it would cost for Latvia?

LVFG3_F5: Um, as I think, that one of the best answers is - it depends. Uh, because, uh, we kind of have to evaluate, uh, in the long term, what it was, like, what would the costs be for us, because, sure, right now we can, see that, uhm, so, it's cost us something, we can benefit this other country, but, uh, we have to be forward thinking and see how it affects us, uhm, in the future, I think. So I can't say yes or no.

M: Thank you.

LVFG3_F6: Mmm, knowing that we have already taken quite a lot of money from the EU funds I don't think [chuckles] it would be a sane idea to give out from us even more. [chuckles]

M: Thank you. Thank you.

LVFG3_F3: My answer will contradict, my, I think, my previous answers, but I will say that, Latvia shouldn't help. Because I, I'm not so sure what, what is the unemployment rate right now in Latvia, but, uhm, I think a country should first to get ahead of itself. You know, get together, ehm, ehm, their own policies and the une... unemployment rates to help others solve theirs.

M: Thank you.

LVFG3_M4: Yeah, uh, I will begin by replying to the previous speaker. The current Latvian unemployment rate is, uh, rather low. In fact, employers are struggling with finding good employees. That is more of a problem, so that leads me to think that the unemployed people that are there, are just lazy and don't really want to work when it comes to hard work. Uuh, but, ehh, in relation to Latvia helping other countries, I will as an economist, I will reply with that this is the typical case of cost benefit analysis. So, if there is some, uh, problem in the Latvian economy that we can solve by doing so, uh, I fully agree that we should do it. For example, like if Latvia can sponsor a program that gets, uh, people to work in our, on our farms, uuh, I see that as a, like as a benefit. Or, for example, establish a factory there that produces something that, uh, we could use afterwards, or to help us solve some problems that we have - then sure. If it's just throwing money, money at some other country, uh, you know, so that, eeh, they are better off, I believe that we are not, uh, uuh, economically, uuh, in a stable enough and a good enough position to do that.

M: Thank you.

LVFG3_M2: I would say, Latvia shouldn't help because, because, uh, in my opinion, I w... I'd say the EU should provide the fundings. ( )

M: Thank you, okay.

LVFG3_F1: Yeah, I, I would like, I would like to, uh, agree on what <name of participant> said, eh, that Latvia itself... and, and <name of participant> , <name of participant> and <name of participant>, said that, Latvia itself should help themselves. It's, it's the same as with people - you should first work on yourself and then work on others. And think it's, it's the thing that Latvia should do. Work first, firstly on ourselves, and then help others.

M: Thank you very much, thank you. We have three wrap up questions, like quick questions. Today we discussed the European Union touching upon different areas like social disparities and economics. Are there any other areas that you would say are relevant when talking about the relations and mutual support within the European Union? Should we have talked about any other topic in relation with the European Union?

(long pause)

LVFG3_M4: If I will answer with a ''yes'', will you ask what the topic will be? (short pause) <name of moderator>

M: I didn't get your answer.

LVFG3_M4: My answer... like, my answer is a question. If I say yes, would you ask what that topic would be?

M: I cannot tell you the topic. I'm asking you what, which topic...

LVFG3_M4: Yeah, but I'm asking if this is just a "yes or no" question, or if I'm answering yes, then there would be a follow up on what topic, it would be?

M: No, I'm asking you which topic we should have covered more.

LVFG3_M4: Ooh... well then, I have to think.

M: Anybody.

LVFG3_F5: Mmm, maybe it would, uh, be on topic right now to talk about security and order.

M: Security and borders?

LVFG3_F5: Yeah.

M: Thank you. Any other ideas?

LVFG3_F6: Cultural differences.

M: Thank you, good point. Any other ideas?

LVFG3_M4: Yeah, on what <name of participant> said... Uh, nah, I believe that, yeah, first of all, borders sake and, uh... the economic, uh, factors influencing the EU from outside, such as the, uh, economic, uh, slash political conflict with, uh, China, for example, that is already affecting some of the Member States. And overall, how should the EU act like... in such cases.

M: Thank you. Any other ideas?

LVFG3_F5: Um, I would have liked to see some questions about, uh, climate action.

M: <Name of participant>, any ideas?

[01:19:00]

LVFG3_F3: Uh, I don't know. The only thing that is in my mind right now is, uh, some sort of unified aid for a Covid and how, you know, other countries could aid other countries with equipment or even, uh, hu... health workers, because that would be very much appreciated right now, in Latvia especially, I think. Even though everything has calmed down, I think a unified system or something would be...

M: I think we covered that with the first scenario when we talked about major disaster. I think COVID-19 could be included as a major disaster. <Name of participant> , do you have any idea?

LVFG3_F1: I, I don't, I don't know if anybody said it this but, for me, maybe opening up about and speaking about traveling and Covid through the European Union about tests and, uh, and, uh, vaccination and everything surrounded by traveling and Covid.

M: Thank you. <Name of participant>? Any idea?

LVFG3_M2: Um, I, um, I... maybe the part where, uh, I guess each European citizen sees itself as a participant in the politics side, maybe in European Union, how can they see their impact or can they see the... uh, I guess they're, they're voting or something like that.

M: Mhm.

LVFG3_M2: Can they actually, can actually see the maybe, yeah, their, their choices they make and stuff like that.-

M: -Thank you.

LVFG3_M2:-…think there is some problems in the democracy in parts of the European Union...

M: Thank you. How would you say the discussed topics are linked with Latvia's future in the European Union? We discussed economic aspects, social dimension and natural disasters. How they could be linked with Latvia's future in the European Union? Is it linked or is it very far from that? Is Latvia very far from those topics in your opinion?

LVFG3_F5: No, no, I think that it, uh, definitely is linked. However, I a little bit saw the questions is a bit vague, so it's hard to draw, like, any significant, like, points from them. Uh, so I don't, I don't see a clear link, however, in the context of Latvia being within the EU, yes, sure, sure, it's linked.

M: Thank you. <Name of participant>?

LVFG3_F6: Um, even though we may not be in the center of problems all the time or, yeah, we're not, like, the epicenter of it. Uh, it's I think we are still linked to some problems, or at least it's nice to know that by knowing these topics we'll maybe know, uhm, how to operate them, like, in those situations because we have the knowledge of it.

M: Thank you. Thank you. <Name of participant>?

LVFG3_F3: Oh, yeah, I think the topics and our answers were a, ah, an insight in, on the future and how, uh, the EU and our country would react in certain situations, especially considering that we are a very small country, and our impact is not at all that large. So, I think this was a good imaginary scenario and what ah, our emotions would be like in certain situations and how we would expect the EU to react.

M: Thank you.

LVFG3_M2: I'm sorry I didn't catch up with a question.

M: Okay. How would you say, the discussed topics - we talked about major natural disaster, we talked about economic crisis, we talked about social dimensions, - how do you think they are linked? Is Latvia linked with these topics to European Union, or no?

(short pause)

LVFG3_M2: I have to answer now?

M: Yes.

LVFG3_M4: Wait! Okay, <name of participant>, you go.

LVFG3_M2: Wait, wha, wait, wait, no, you go. [laughter] ( )

LVFG3_M4: [laughter] Okay, okay, oh, fine. So, uh, then, in that case, as much as I would like, uh, to respond that, uh, these will not catch up with us, but, uh, oh, right, we're now recording me... a recorded meeting, so I'm going to say it happens. Uhm, so, yeah, it, it could affect us. Uh, and thus I believe that this discussion was, uh, quite important in terms that these sort of the situations who truly show, like, which path the EU take. Uh, should it, uh, be going towards a more centralized government with more control or, uh, more of a decentralized, uh, stea... state that consists of member countries, you know, there's always this balance, and, uh, it would be interesting to know the opinion on this topic in the other countries. So, I hope that, uh, I hope that this is a part of a larger survey. Uh, I, I would be interested in seeing that.

M: Thank you. Thank you, I will definitely share it with you.

LVFG3_M2: Ah, well, I don't really think I have anything to add much. Everyone, I guess, expressed pretty good, so, yeah.

M: Okay, but do you think the topics are linked? Is Latvia linked to these questions in the framework of European Union, or no?

LVFG3_M2: Oh... uh, yeah, I, I would say that they are linked, yeah, in a way.

M: Okay, thank you. And <name of participant>?

LVFG3_F1: In my opinion, they are linked, because all the other participants already said a lot of things that I was thinking. [laughter] But in my opinion, they are linked, because every EU citizen and every EU country that is in the EU is, uh, is partially, uh, they partially are here to help each other it's a union for a reason, so, yeah.

M: Thank you. Two last questions which I will tell in one, so that we can wrap up this discussion. What would be the final remark by each of you on this topic, and is there anything else that you might have had in your own your mind during the discussion, but we haven't discussed this during this focus group discussion? So, final remark, and is there anything else?

LVFG3_F5: Oh, I just wanted to say thank you. I think this, uh, this discussion is very valuable, especially for young people to kind of see how everything is interconnected and at least start thinking about the topics that were raised here. And, uh, in terms of adding anything I don't really think of anything else to add but, uh, yeah. Thank you, I think it was very nice.

M: Thank you! Thank you very much!

LVFG3_F6: I would al, also thank you for the possibility to take part in this focus group discussion and, yeah, uh, I think it was... I would've even loved that there would be more people who would have taken part in this discussion, because when the idea sets in your subconsciousness, it's just... time to time box up into the future, in the future they're, like, yeah I talk, talked about this. And there may be, uh, some things which come up in my mind and, yeah, I could, uhm, say some information to my friends and maybe they will be interested in that. And just to gather up more information about this and then discuss it with the other people.

M: Thank you very much. Thank you! <Name of participant>?

LVFG3_F3: I would also like to say a big thank you. I think this discussion was very beneficial because definitely after this, I will be more, uh, interested to read the news, not only about Latvia and our Covid situation, but also about the EU and economics. And I realized how much my economic knowledge has, uh, faded over the last couple of months, so this was a very nice refreshing discussion. So thank you.

M: Thank you so much. Thank you.

LVFG3_M4: Ye... yeah, so, uh, for me, this was the first, uh, focus group that I took, uh, participation in, uh, and, well, I think that it was very nice. Uh, I d... I really enjoyed getting to know the, uh, the, uh, the views and, uh, and the thoughts, uah, of other, uuh, people my age. Uh, uh, and, uh, what I would like to see more, but perhaps this is a limitation of the focus group itself, uh, I would be open for, uh, more discussion, however, I believ... I also see that it would, uh, take up immense amounts of time and that might be a limiting factor for some of the people here, so, yeah.

M: Thank you very much, thank you! <Name of participant>?

LVFG3_M2: Uh, yeah, (big thanks to?) <name of moderator>. It was interesting. Yeah, I really liked to hear, I guess, the different opinions or views, yeah, about, uh, the about these topics. And, uh, yeah, although I had heard a lot of this in, uh, the studies about the European Union, but it was really interesting, yeah, for me about the... about their opinions and stuff like that, yeah.

M: Thank you, thank you. <Name of participant>?

LVFG3_F1: I want to say a big thank you. I really like this, uh, discussion and listening to other people's views of these, uh, these questions. [laughter] And, uh, yeah, I just think it was very beneficial 'cause, due to Covid and everything we haven't had the, the.., we haven't participated in any discussions with people 'cause we've had to sit at home and listen to lectures all day, so I think it's really good to get out of your shell and listen to other people's thoughts and things they think and everything like that. So, yeah, thank you!

[laughter]

M: Thank you very, much thank you!