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Riga, Jan 23 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Latvian President Andris Berzins has said the country may not be able to preserve its independence if it followed EU directives. "The economic crisis was followed by a measure of stability and Latvia acquired an international reputation but it is very important to watch carefully where we are at present and what we will do in the future," President Berzins said Wednesday. "The question of how we move forward is more than serious. In pursuit of results on the implementation of EU directives, Latvia may not survive as an independent state." Latvia joined the EU in 2004. In 2008, it ended up on the verge of bankruptcy due to a serious economic crisis. But in 2012, Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis said Latvia had overcome it. Berzins' comments came on the same day British Prime Minister David Cameron promised an "in-out" referendum on British membership of the EU before 2017 if he wins the next election. A core of European states are keen to push toward closer political and fiscal ties, while several EU states including Britain want certain powers repatriated and favour a looser relationship within the EU. --IANS/RIA Novosti sd/vt
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