Brussels, 09/10/2003 (Agence Europe) - Latvia's President Vaira Vike-Freiberga put the case forward before the European Parliament on Thursday for the future constitutional treaty to respect the principle of equality between large and small but also between former and new Member States, as well as a balance between Community institutions. "The Union must not be divided between large and small countries, rich and poor", she said. To this end, it is important for each country to be able to continue to be represented within the Commission ("otherwise how could it remain a collegial body?"), for the rotating sector-specific Council presidencies to be maintained, for any strengthened cooperation to remain "accessible to all" and for all Member States to be involved in decision-making regarding common defence policy. Latvia wants a "strong Union", which will also require clarification of the exact powers of the president of the European Council ("his task must be restricted to coordinating work and fixing the agenda of European Councils, that is, the current task of a Prime Minister of the country holding EU Presidency"), the European Foreign Minister and the Commission President, the Latvian President continued. The double majority system for Council voting is acceptable for Latvia, but the minimum State/population threshold for qualified majority should be a percentage of 50/50 instead of the 50/60 proposed by the Convention. Ms Vike-Freiberga also felt that Latvia would allow the Union to gain by its experience, especially scientific. She stressed the main qualities of Latvian scientists in fields such as physics, chemistry, mathematics and natural sciences. The small Baltic State also hopes to play a role of vanguard in the generalised application of information and communication technologies and will also support the idea of creating a vast European technological research zone. Future EU regional aid will, moreover, largely serve to promote "a knowledge-based economy" throughout Latvian territory, which will also contribute to preventing the brain drain toward other destinations. Ms Vike-Freiberga insisted at length on the multi-cultural nature of the Latvia society, on its openness and tolerance toward minorities living on its territory, and mainly the Russian-speaking minority. She also defended the linguistic policy considering that it meets all the standards defined by the Council of Europe, the OSCE, the European Commission and the UN. After a difficult and painful past, relations with Russia have taken "a change for the better" after the Baltic country's decision to join the EU and NATO, thus creating a "sound basis" for progressive rapprochement. "Latvia wants relations between the enlarged EU and Russia to be intensified, with a great deal of pragmatism", she said. After her speech at the EP, during a press conference, the Latvian President said she felt confident that the next annual report by the European Commission on her country would take stock of the "substantial progress" made in Latvia since the last report in autumn 2002, and that it would note that the Baltic State in question "is on the right track with a view to meeting all the conditions for accession before 1 May 2004". The Commission is expected to publish its regular reports for the thirteen candidate countries on 5 November this year.