Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia: [CL] Nr. 504, 28 April

Weekly Summary of News in Latvia

CURRENT LATVIA
28 April - 5 May 2003
Wk. 18 / 2003 (504)

FOREIGN POLICY EVENTS

28 April	As part of her working visit to France, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sandra Kalniete, together with Estonia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Kristiina Ojuland, and Lithuania's Minister of Foreign Affairs Antanas Valionis met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of France Dominique de Villepin and the Minister Delegate for European Affairs Noëlle Lenoir. The discussion embraced issues pertaining to EU institutions considered at the European Convention, prospects for development of cooperation with the new neighbours of the enlarged European Union, and the Summit of Defence Ministers of four EU member states that was scheduled to take place in Brussels on the following day, 29 April. Mr de Villepin stressed that France was interested in intensifying dialogue with the Baltic States on issues related to the future of Europe, and mentioned his prospective visit to the Baltic States.
28 April	During her working visit to France, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sandra Kalniete met with the Deputy Secretary General of the OECD Seiichi Kondo to discuss possibilities for cooperation with the OECD following termination of the Baltic Regional Programme. At the meeting, the Minister submitted an application for Latvia's participation in OECD committees on education; employment, labour and social affairs; fiscal affairs; information, computer and communications policy; and maritime transport, as well as in working groups of the Committee for Agriculture.
1 May	The Immigration Law and associated normative acts regulating the procedure for the entry and stay by foreign nationals in the Republic of Latvia entered into force. This legislation is in accordance with the provisions of the acquis communautaire of the European Union.
5 May	Representative of the Latvian government to the European Convention, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sandra Kalniete expressed support for the common position of nine EU member and acceding states on necessary amendments to the chapter of the draft EU Constitutional Treaty on "Institutions". The common position was also supported by representatives from the governments of Austria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Lithuania, Finland, Slovakia, Slovenia and Hungary. The common position does not support the establishment of an elected President of the European Council. It proposes that the Council continue to be led by a Presidency rotating every six months among EU member states, and that the principle of each member state being represented by a single Commissioner within the European Commission should also be retained. The common position supports the election of the President of the European Commission by the European Parliament from among candidates put forward by the Council.
5 May	Consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Latvia and Ukraine were held in Riga. The discussions were chaired by the State Secretary of Latvia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maris Riekstins, and the State Secretary of Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Volodymyr Yelchenko. During the discussions, Latvia outlined its progress towards integration into the EU and NATO. Ukraine expressed interest in the passing on of Latvia's experience of European integration. The parties discussed developments in Latvian-Ukrainian relations and issues in regional cooperation, exchanged information about current issues in relations with the EU and NATO and expressed their views on the current global situation
5 May	Political consultations between Latvia and Turkey were held in Ankara, chaired by the Undersecretary of State of Latvia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Andris Teikmanis, and Deputy Undersecretary of Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Baki Ilkin. Turkish officials congratulated Latvia on its progress in NATO integration and expressed the hope that Latvia's Protocol of Accession to NATO would be ratified by the Parliament of Turkey by the end of this year. Latvian officials shared their experience of integration into the EU. Other issues discussed included transatlantic cooperation, the renewal of Iraq, and the possibility of settling conflicts in Cyprus and the Middle East. During the consultations, an agreement between Latvia and Turkey on cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters was signed.

6 May	Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the three Baltic States and the Federal Republic of Germany in Vilnius, Lithuania
6 - 7 May	Working visit to Latvia by the Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic, Constantine Simitis
7 - 9 May	Working visit by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Sandra Kalniete to the United States of America
12 May	Working visit by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Sandra Kalniete to the Kingdom of Norway
13 - 14 May	Working visit to Latvia by the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, Rolf Ekeus
13 - 15 May	State visit of the President of the Portuguese Republic, Jorge Sampaio
15 - 16 May	Participation by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Sandra Kalniete at the European Convention in Brussels, Belgium
15 - 16 May	Working visit of Secretary General of the European Commission, David O'Sullivan
16 May	Working visit by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Estonia, Juhan Parts
18 - 20 May	Minister of Foreign Affairs Sandra Kalniete to attend the General Affairs and External Relations Council in Brussels, Belgium
19 - 20 May	Visit by the Lord Chancellor of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Lord Irvine of Lairg
20 - 21 May	Official visit by the Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons, Peter Milliken
21 May	Official visit by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Sandra Kalniete to the Kingdom of Spain
30 - 31 May	Participation by the President of the Republic of Latvia, Vaira Vike-Freiberga and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Sandra Kalniete at the EU-Russia Summit and St Petersburg's 300^th anniversary celebrations

Latvia applauds confirmation of the new Palestinian Authority Cabinet

Latvia congratulates the decision taken by the Palestinian Legislative Council to confirm the Cabinet under Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas. This will facilitate the release of the "road map" elaborated by the US, the EU, Russia, and the UN in the near future, thereby fostering the implementation of reforms in the Middle East.

Latvia appreciates the position declared by the Palestinian Authority Prime Minister with respect to the discontinuation of terrorism, provision of a stable judicial system, organisation of democratic elections and creation of a secure state. Latvia urges the Palestinian Prime Minister to do the utmost to immediately prevent terror acts, which hamper the efforts of securing stability in the region and observance of human rights.

Latvia values highly the US contribution to the peace establishment process in the Middle East, including the coming visit to the region by the US Secretary of State Colin Powell to meet with the governments of Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Settlement of the conflict between the Palestinian Authority and Israel is an essential prerequisite for the security of the civilians and for the development of political and economic relations in the region as a whole.

MFA (30.04.2003)

Letter from Latvia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sandra Kalniete to UNDP Resident Representative in Latvia Gabriele Köhler

Latvia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sandra Kalniete has sent a letter to the Resident Representative of the UNDP in Latvia, Ms Gabriele Köhler. In the letter, the Minister calls attention to the future of the UNDP in Latvia.

The UNDP is an organisation whose primary mission is to provide assistance to developing and transition countries. The UNDP Human Development Report 2002, published in July 2002, includes Latvia among developed nations, attesting to the fact that the UNDP's mission in Latvia has been accomplished. Given that Latvia anticipates becoming a full-fledged EU member state in the near future and has the desire and interest to move from being an assistance recipient to an assistance donor, the status of the UNDP will have to change.

With UNDP assistance programmes continuing to run in Latvia until the end of 2004, the Minister's letter expresses confidence that cooperation with the UNDP can continue in such areas as the attraction of European Union funding for regional development projects.

The Minister also thanks Ms Köhler for the assistance provided by the UNDP, and the cooperation undertaken in the years of transition following the re-establishment of Latvia's independence. The Minister also affirms Latvia's readiness and desire to continue to work actively with other specialised UN agencies operating in Latvia.

MFA (30.04.2003)

HOME AFFAIRS

Europe Week 2003 gets underway in Latvia

On 2 May 2003 Ainars Dimants, President of the European Movement - Latvia; Andrew Rasbash, Head of the European Commission Delegation in Latvia; and Ramona Umblija, Head of the Management Group "Latvia in Europe", responsible for the pre-referendum information campaign on the European Union in Latvia, opened Europe Week 2003 with a special press conference. Europe Week events are scheduled for the period beginning Monday 5 May through to Saturday 10 May, with the final event Europe in the Very Heart of Riga being held in Vermanes Park.

Europe Week in Latvia is organised by the Club House - Youth for a United Europe and European Movement - Latvia, in collaboration with the European Integration Bureau, the Management Group "Latvia in Europe" and other public administration institutions, as well as the European Commission Delegation in Latvia, the EU Information Centre, regional EU information offices, local governments, educational institutions and many other organisations.

The logo of Europe Week 2003 is the EuroBus, symbolising that the aim of Europe Week is to bring information about Latvia's integration into the European Union as close as possible to every resident of Latvia. During Europe Week this bus will visit the districts of Aizkraukle, Jekabpils, Daugavpils, Kraslava, Liepaja, Madona, Valmiera, Ventspils, Rezekne and Cesis. The EuroBuses will be providing an extensive range of printed information on the EU, as well as the opportunity to meet experts on EU issues.

The events of Europe Week include a variety of activities, such as information stands, discussions, meetings, workshops, contests, exhibitions, and EuroBus visits. All Europe Week events are free of charge and open to all.

European Integration Bureau (02.05.2003)

"Latvia's membership in the EU means greater opportunities for young people" stresses Minister of Foreign Affairs Sandra Kalniete at the opening of Europe Week

On 5 May 2003, Latvia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sandra Kalniete participated in the opening event of Europe Week held in Dome Square, which was organised by the Club House - Youth for a United Europe.

In her opening speech, the Minister noted that this is the sixth consecutive year in which Europe Week is being held, and that this year it coincides with the staging of information events on Latvia's membership of the European Union. Ms Kalniete stressed as significant the fact that the first event of this year's Europe Week has been one organised by young people, as Latvia's membership in the EU will mean new and broader opportunities precisely for the younger generation.

As part of events marking Europe Week, Ms Kalniete met with students at Riga Secondary School No. 62, and discussed with them arguments for and against Latvia joining the EU.

MFA (05.05.2003)

ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS

Agricultural development policy guidelines established for 2003-2006

The Ministry of Agriculture has established guidelines for agricultural development policy in Latvia for the period 2003-2006 which set out the aims, objectives and strategy for the development of agriculture in Latvia, based on the assumption that Latvia will join the European Union next May.

The guidelines are a new policy-planning document aimed at charting the future course of agricultural development in Latvia and readying the sector for competition in the EU common market. The Ministry says that the guidelines aim to ensure the harmonic long-term growth of an efficient and sustainable agriculture.

The guidelines will be submitted to the government for review in the near future.

LETA (04.05.2003)

Latvian Internet market grew by 30% in 2002 - Internet Association

The turnover of Latvia's Internet providers grew 30% last year, amounting to LVL 9.6 million, according to data from the Latvian Internet Association (LIA). The LIA initially estimated that the total turnover in 2002 would amount to LVL 9 million, but the actual figure was even larger, LIA Executive Director Ina Gudele told LETA's business information portal "Nozare.lv".

80% of Latvia's Internet market is controlled by the four largest providers - Apollo, Latnet, Microlink Data and Telia.

LETA (04.05.2003)

Rigas piensaimnieks to produce ice-cream for Coca-Cola

The Latvian joint-stock dairy company Rigas piensaimnieks (RPS) has signed a cooperation agreement with Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company (CCHBC) on the production of fruit ice-cream made according to the Jungle Pop recipe. The ice-cream will be produced under the Coca-Cola trademark Amita fun.

According to RPS Director General Arvids Usca, Jungle Pop is one of the most successful exports for RPS which was the seventh company in the world and the first in Latvia to launch production of the ice-cream in 1997. Usca pointed out that currently the ice-cream is being produced in about 15 countries, but RPS is successfully competing on the European, American and Asian markets.

CCHBC was established in 2000 as the result of the merger of "Hellenic Bottling Company S.A." in Athens and "Coca-Cola Beverages plc.". This is one of the largest producers of non-alcoholic beverages in Europe. Rigas piensaimnieks was founded in 1993. The company exports products to 21 countries.

LETA (05.05.2003)

Northern Enterprise publishes 4^th annual edition of Focus on Latvia

Northern Enterprise magazine published on 28 April 2003 its 4^th annual edition of Focus on Latvia. The report is over 30 pages in length, making it the magazine's biggest country focus section to date. The report includes business and economic profiles of the Latvian market, as well as legal overviews and company presentations. The magazine also features a special guest essay by Minister of Foreign Affairs Sandra Kalniete.

Northern Enterprise magazine covers the Nordic and Baltic markets and appears bimonthly in English. Copies of this year's Latvia edition are still available upon request. Write to editor@northernenterprise.com or visit www.northernenterprise.com.

Northern Enterprise

LATEST STATISTICS

Latvia's economic activity index in March was up 10.1% compared to March last year, reported the Ministry of Finance. The rise was mostly affected by the average wage rise, good conditions for industry and a rise in cash flow. The economic activity index is calculated by the Ministry of Finance, taking into account inflation, producer price indices, exports and imports, unemployment and other macroeconomic indicators. (BNS)

The profit of commercial banks for the first three months of 2003 amounted to LVL 14.45 million, the Association of Latvian Commercial Banks told LETA. All banks concluded the first quarter of the year with profit. The total amount of bank assets was LVL 4.57 billion at the end of March, up 3.4% from the beginning of the year. Bank capital and reserves grew 3.7% to reach LVL 397.72 million. By the end of March, banks had issued LVL 2.28 billion in loans, up 7.2% from the beginning of the year. The amount of deposits attracted by banks has increased 3.1% since the beginning of the year, to reach LVL 3.18 billion. (LETA)

EXCHANGE RATES

SOCIETY, EDUCATION, CULTURE AND SPORTS

Latvian ice hockey team beats Belarus 4:0, Russia 2:1

On 29 April 2003 the Latvian national ice hockey team defeated Belarus 4:0 in a battle for third place in Group C at the 2003 World Ice Hockey Championship in Finland. All the goals came in the first two periods, with Karlis Skrastins scoring a "hat trick" - three goals, all in the second period. The first goal was scored by Olegs Sorokins in the first period.

On 4 May 2003 Latvia's team defeated Russia 2:1 in a Group F match. Neither team scored in the first two periods of the game. Latvia's Leonids Tambijevs scored the first goal at the beginning of the third period, assisted by Aleksandrs Semjonovs and Aleksandrs Kercs. Russia managed to tie the game at 1:1 in just 33 seconds, with Alexander Frolov scoring.

From that moment, the Russians spent most of the time on the attack, but all their shots were blocked by Latvian goalkeeper Arturs Irbe. Eleven minutes into the third period, Vadims Romanovskis scored the second goal for Latvia, assisted by Sergejs Cubars and Olegs Sorokins. Irbe and Frolov were named the players of the match.

LETA (29.04.2003), (04.05.2003)

Basketball club "Ventspils" third in Europe Champions Cup

On 4 May 2003 Latvia's basketball club "Ventspils" defeated "Hemofarm" from Serbia and Montenegro in a dramatic Europe Champions Cup game for third place, with the final score 91:90 (23:24, 21:16, 22:27, 13:12, 12:11). Sandis Buskevics scored the decisive point in extra time.

LETA (04.05.2003)

CALENDAR OF ARTS EVENTS

29 April - 25 May	Exhibition of contemporary Latvian art, Exhibition Hall of Estonian Art Museum in Rotermann Salt Storage, Tallinn, Estonia; e-mail: muuseum@ekm.ee
2 - 8 May	Riga International Fantasy Film Festival, Riga; e-mail: arsenals@latnet.lv
9 - 29 May	Textile art by Latvian artist Laima Kaugure, Greek Cultural Centre Gallery, Stockholm, Sweden; e-mail: nireus@algonet.se
24 May	Eurovision Song Contest 2003, SKONTO Olympic Hall, Riga; e-mail: eirovizija@ltv.lv
6 - 20 June	Exhibition of works by Latvian painter and ceramist Janis Kupcs, Greek Cultural Centre Gallery, Stockholm, Sweden; e-mail: nireus@algonet.se
10 - 22 June	6^th Riga Opera Festival, Latvian National Opera, Riga; e-mail: boxoffice@opera.lv
29 June - 6 July	23^rd Latvian Song Festival, Riga; e-mail: birojs@dziesmusvetki2003.lv

Information bulletin "Current Latvia" is a compilation of press releases and news reports drawn from the mass media and official sources. Not all of the views published reflect the official position of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.