Minister Delegate for European Affairs of France and Minister for European Affairs of the UK Visit Latvia [01 Apr 2003]

On 2 and 3 April 2003, the Minister Delegate for European Affairs of France Noëlle Lenoir, and on 3 and 4 April, the Minister for European Affairs of the United Kingdom Denis MacShane, will pay working visits to Latvia.

The Ministers will meet with the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga, Prime Minister Einars Repse, Speaker of the Saeima Ingrida Udre, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sandra Kalniete. Discussions are scheduled on issues related to bilateral relations and the future of Europe.

A meeting and discussion forum has been scheduled for 3 April between Ms Lenoir, Dr MacShane, and Ms Kalniete entitled "European Diversity - European Identity and National Identities", to which have been invited Saeima deputies, journalists, students, and members of the public.

On 3 April at 4 p.m., the Minister Delegate for European Affairs Noëlle Lenoir and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia will sign a Co-operation Programme between the Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government of the Republic of France in the Areas of Culture, Education, Science, Technology, and Institutional Development.

There will be photo and video opportunities for the press. Journalists are kindly requested to contact the Foreign Ministry's Press Centre (tel.: 7016272, or by e-mail: prescentrs@mfa.gov.lv).

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