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LATVIA TODAY: FOREIGN POLICY NEWS 16 - 20 February 2009 No. 53 |
HEADLINES
Highlights
Prime Minister discusses current issues of economic co-operation in Belarus
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins and Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet emphasise opportunities for co-operation between diplomatic services
In brief
Ambassador Poikans presents letter of accreditation to President of the Republic of Slovenia
Georgian children receive study materials with assistance from Latvia
| HIGHLIGHTS |
Prime Minister discusses current issues of economic co-operation in Belarus
On 18 February, Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis, Transport Minister Ainars Slesers and Economics Minister Kaspars Gerhards were on a working visit to the Republic of Belarus.
Mr Godmanis and the Latvian delegation met also with Belarus Prime Minister Sergey Sidorski.
During their meeting the issues for discussion included questions regarding economic co-operation in areas such as transport, transit, energy, manufacture, trade, as well as cross-border co-operation.
The Belarus government leader emphasised the important role of co-operation among both countries under circumstances of the present world economic crisis. The realisation of economic stability among neighbour countries, the introduction of a payments guarantee system for entrepreneurs, state guarantees for delivery of goods, and discussions with regard to trolleybus manufacture in Belarus and delivery of parts to Latvia in the context of a potential trolleybus assembly plant in Jelgava were also discussed.
Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis evaluated, as especially positive, the fact that Latvia and Belarus have in a timely manner activated economic co-operation in preparation for the expected economic challenges to both states, and he emphasised the necessity to guarantee bilateral protection of investments. Prime Minister Godmanis also noted the economic development of Belarus.
Mr Godmanis also accentuated Latvia's various transit corridors as an indicator of importance to the Latvian state economy, since there has not been any noticeable decline in this area by comparison with other spheres of activity.
A notable portion of the discussion time was devoted to the issue of energy. Mr Godmanis pointed to the necessity of developing new electro-energy connections with increased capacity guarantees, which would thus be of great importance to both countries in the context of the planned Baltic - Swedish connection. For his part, Belarus Prime Minister Sidorski advised his guests that his country has determined to build a nuclear power station by 2016, which would in fact provide another argument in favour of the creation of an electro-energy connection.
Latvia's Minister for Transport, Ainars Slesers, in addition to the already mentioned transit questions, accentuated the opening of extra flights between Riga and Minsk, which would better facilitate the accessibility of Belarus to the Scandinavian market. Latvia's Minister for Economics, Kaspars Gerhards, also focussed on the successful co-operation in the tourism industry, not to mention the manufacturing industry in the context of the trolleybus assembly plant planned for Jelgava.
As part of the visit, a Note was exchanged on the conclusion of the Latvia - Belarus border demarcation process, and a Memorandum was signed on co-operation in energy between the Republic of Latvia and the Republic of Belarus.
The Latvian Prime Minister visited the Minsk automobile factory (MAZ) where he had the opportunity of viewing the various stages of vehicle manufacture, in particular in the iron forgery and car assembly sections. Mr Godmanis noted the variety of the MAZ production facility and emphasised the value of the factory to the economic development of both countries and to the creation of added value.
On 19 February, Prime Minister Godmanis, in continuing his visit to Belarus, also visited the multi-functional sports complex of Minsk and familiarised himself with many of the buildings already completed or nearing completion.
After this visit the Prime Minister noted positively the impressive building Project- especially the velodrome hall with its included tennis, volleyball and basketball fields, not to mention the high quality workmanship of the hockey and roller-skating halls.
In conversation with Belarus media representatives, Prime Minister Godmanis pointed to the importance of such a building project for the youth of each nation and also to the facilitation of a community-oriented policy.
The Prime Minister also visited the National Library of Belarus, which has been constructed with the latest technological possibilities, and noted its technical parameters and modern facilities for the management of its book collection.
The Cabinet of Ministers, 18 - 19 February 2009
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins and Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet emphasise opportunities for co-operation between diplomatic services
On 18 February, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Estonia, Urmas Paet, who had arrived on an official visit to Latvia.
During their meeting, the ministers reviewed current developments in bilateral relations between Latvia and Estonia, emphasising the traditionally well-developed dialogue. While speaking about the expansion of economic co-operation, Minister Maris Riekstins noted that Estonia is a significant and important partner to Latvia, both in import and export as well as in the attraction of mutual investments.
With regard to internal political processes in Latvia, Minister Riekstins noted Estonia's solidarity in the face of economic challenges. Minister Paet, in his turn, informed about the measures to be taken by Estonia for the stabilisation of the economic situation, including contraction of the national budget.
The foreign ministers of Latvia and of Estonia exchanged opinions on the co-operation between the countries at both regional and international level. Ministers Riekstins and Paet shared the opinion that under the current economic situation, opportunities for closer co-operation abroad should be considered, for instance, mutual support in consular matters. Minister Riekstins informed his colleague that at present Latvia is also representing Estonia in the issuance of visas in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, drawing attention to the possibility of expanding this co-operation.
Ministers Riekstins and Paet reviewed prospects for the establishment of joint embassies of both countries, employing Latvian and Estonian diplomats. Minister Riekstins mentioned as one of the possibilities the Middle East region, where Latvia has an embassy in Cairo, Egypt. Minister Riekstins noted that experts from the foreign ministries of Latvia and Estonia were to hold additional consultations on this issue.
During the discussion, the parties focused on the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region. Mr Riekstins stressed that the emerging strategy would have a significant role in the facilitation of sustainable development and competitiveness of the Baltic Sea Region.
The ministers also discussed the issues related to energy, with particular focus on the Baltic energy market inter-connection plan, the aim of which is to offer solutions to the problem of energy separateness in the region. Minister Riekstins underscored that for Latvia the priority is the establishment of a common Baltic energy market.
Ministers Riekstins and Paet exchanged opinions on the relations of the countries with Russia, both within a bilateral format and within the framework of the European Union and NATO, as well as on the contribution by both countries to the stabilisation of the situation in Afghanistan.
As part of the meeting, the Ministers signed a Joint Communiqué on the establishment of the Translators Award of the Foreign Ministries of Latvia and Estonia. The Translators Award will be presented for high quality translations, not only of literary works but also of political, linguistic, popular scientific, historical, sociological texts, of memoirs and other types of works, with the aim of highlighting the significance of proficiency in the Latvian and Estonian languages as well as stimulating the work of young translators from Estonian into Latvian and from Latvian into Estonian.
Minister Paet also invited the Latvian Foreign Minister to come to Estonia on an official visit.
State President Valdis Zatlers also received Foreign Minister Paet at the Riga Castle. During their discussions, both the President and the Minister evaluated the bilateral relationships between Latvia and Estonia, highlighting the excellent state of diplomatic representation in each country.
While exchanging opinions on the global economic crisis and its effect on Latvia and Estonia, both officials observed that in the present circumstances, both countries are so closely associated that they have become mutually inter-dependent and any economic downturn in one country is felt no less by its neighbour.
During the course of their discussions, the issue of electro-energy supply was also raised with regard to regional projects. President Zatlers noted especially the need to develop a united Baltic electricity supply grid, and invited the Estonian side to participate actively in the planning and implementation of a united Baltic energy market.
President Zatlers and the Estonian foreign minister discussed the role of minority nationality schools in the community. Minister Paet noted with pleasure that the Estonian school in Riga continues to increase in its reputation and plays an active role in the community.
In concluding their meeting, the Estonian foreign minister confirmed once again, that the Latvian President will be most welcome in Estonia on his state visit planned for 7 - 8 April.
President's Chancery, 18February 2009
MFA, 18 February 2009
| IN BRIEF |
Ambassador Poikans presents letter of accreditation to President of the Republic of Slovenia
On 16 February, the Latvian ambassador to the Republic of Slovenia, Juris Poikans, presented his letter of accreditation to President Danilo Turk of Slovenia, thus becoming the first resident Latvian ambassador to Slovenia.
Following the ceremonial event the Latvian ambassador and the President of Slovenia held formal talks during which time the bilateral relations between both countries were evaluated, as were questions concerning the European Union and other international topicalities.
The president of Slovenia emphasised that both Latvia and Slovenia share a common past which augurs well for a deepened level of co-operation. Slovenia has always valued most highly the fact that Latvia was among the first nations to recognise its independence. Slovenia has actively followed events in the Baltic states and supported their movement towards independence.
The president of Slovenia expressed his confidence that the opening of the Latvian Embassy will be an investment in the strengthening of relations between both countries. Both sides were of the opinion that special attention must be paid to contacts in the areas of economy and culture.
The Embassy commenced work in March 2008 with Juris Poikans then fulfilling the management responsibilities of chargé d'affaires a.i. until his appointment to the position of ambassador. The opening of the Embassy has been effective in facilitating a bilateral dialogue with Slovenia and has also served as a platform for the greater representation of Latvia in the West Balkans region.
Embassy of the Republic of Latvia to Slovenia, 16 February 2009
Georgian children receive study materials with assistance from Latvia
The Foreign Ministry of Latvia, the Estonian Ministry of Education, the Alma Adamkiene Foundation of Lithuania and other donor organisations have forwarded some 30,000 new books and study materials to the more than five thousand children who have been affected or who have suffered as a consequence of the August 2008 military conflict in Georgia.
The Project covers the South Ossetian neighbouring regions of Gori, Kareli, Kaspi and Kashuri. Within this Project, these books and materials will be delivered, by 20 February, to more than 140 of these regional school libraries which have been entrusted with their further care. This Project will provide an opportunity for a better education to children who, through no fault of their own, have come upon difficult times.
The August 2008 crisis and war forced many thousands of people to abandon their homes and to become refugees. Although most have now returned home and have started getting back to a normal life, this possibility is not possible for many families. Also, many of the affected families simply cannot supply their children with the necessary learning materials.
As a result of the conflict, many schools have also been damaged in these regions and are experiencing difficulties in supplying their pupils with sufficient books and study materials.
The books Project towards the victims and children of the August 2008 conflict in Georgia has received funding from the Latvian Development Co-operation Policy resources to the amount USD $15,000 (LVL 8,160).
Embassy of the Republic of Latvia to Georgia, 17 February 2009
| COMING EVENTS |
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27 February 2009 |
Participation of the President of Latvia in the 10th anniversary of the Baltic Defence College in Tartu, Estonia |
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26 - 28 February 2009 |
Speaker of the Saeima Gundars Daudze to participate in the conference of the Speakers of EU Parliaments in Paris |
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1 - 8 March 2009 |
Speaker of the Saeima Gundars Daudze on an official visit to Japan |
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23 February 2009 |
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins to attend General Affairs and External Relations Council Meeting in Brussels |
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27 February 2009 |
Baltic state foreign ministers informal meeting in Utena, Lithuania |
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28 February - 3 March 2009 |
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins on working visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt |
LINKS:
The newsletter "Latvia today: foreign policy news" is a compilation of press releases and news reports drawn from the media and official sources. The views published do not necessarily reflect the official position of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs