08/11/2013 (Agence Europe) - Post-programme surveillance mission - good, but could do better. On Friday 8 November, the European Commission and the European Central Bank expressed satisfaction with the economic situation in Latvia two years after it received €2.9 billion in financial aid from the EU (of a total loan of €7.5 billion). The slow pace of reform of the management of public enterprises, however, has been highlighted as a concern: “In the energy sector significant challenges with regard to the liberalisation of the gas and electricity markets are still to be overcome. The legal obligation to ensure third party access to gas infrastructure by April 2014 is a particular priority”. The two institutions add: “Close monitoring of increasing non-resident bank deposits and further improving the capacity to tackle financial crimes and tax evasion remain important”. Latvia will join the eurozone on 1 January 2014. (MB/transl.fl)