Highlights Baltic presidents meet in Siauliai to commemorate five years in NATO Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis meets with Estonia's president and prime minister Foreign Minister emphasises the significance of EU enlargement policy in ensuring the stability of Europe Foreign Minister reiterates Latvia's support for the stabilisation of Afghanistan In brief Flag raising ceremony held in honour of Latvia's five years in NATO
Baltic presidents meet in Siauliai to commemorate five years in NATO On 27 March, President Valdis Zatlers was in Lithuania to meet with his counterparts from the two other Baltic states. The heads of state of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia took part in a celebration in the Lithuanian town of Siauliai to mark the 5th anniversary of Baltic accession to NATO. At the conclusion of their meeting, the three Baltic presidents agreed that they had taken part in one of the best discussions ever, thus confirming solidarity and friendship among the Baltic states. The presidents discussed energy issues, particularly focusing on a joint electricity transmission network. They also focused on the agenda of the upcoming NATO summit, as well as on regional economic challenges. After the meeting, President Zatlers stressed that it is very important right now to establish a unified Baltic-Nordic energy market with clear regulations that are of advantage to all parties in the process. The President also said that it is very important to make sure that there are no problems when power cables are used in the context of this project. At the celebration of the 5th anniversary of Baltic accession to NATO, the presidents laid flowers at a memorial to Lithuanian freedom fighters in the village of Minaiciai, thus commemorating the war dead from World War II. Then the heads of state went to a military airfield in Siauliai, where they learned about how NATO monitors the Baltic airspace and discussed the patrolling process over the last five years. Sample flights and the takeoff of an F-16 fighter aircraft which was on its way to patrol the Baltic airspace were also demonstrated to the presidents and their guests. Asked about what he had seen at the Lithuanian airfield, President Zatlers said that we must celebrate the 5th anniversary of our membership in NATO, as well as the 60th anniversary of NATO itself: "NATO is the most successful collective security organisation in the world, and each of its enlargements has ensured more security in the world," said the President. President's Chancery, 27 March 2009
Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis meets with Estonia's president and prime minister On 2 April, Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis made his first official visit to the Republic of Estonia. Within the framework of this visit Mr Dombrovskis had meetings with Estonia's President Toomas Hendrik Ilves and with Prime Minister Andrus Ansip. In his meeting with President Ilves, the Latvian prime minister expressed his gratitude for Estonia's readiness to grant financial support to Latvia through the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in helping overcome the financial crisis. During the meetings with both the president and the prime minister, the principal issue under discussion concerned the economic situation in Latvia and Estonia. Both state leaders exchanged information on the current situation and were of one mind that a coordinated response will be most important in overcoming the economic crisis. The Latvian government leader stated that Latvia intends to comply with the requirements of the IMF before receipt of the next international assistance payment. The officials discussed also the situation in the banking sector and recognised that it will be necessary to take action to renew credit lending. Also discussed were the increase in unemployment and the resultant growing social issues. Prime Minister Dombrovskis informed his colleagues on the Latvian governments readiness to support entrepreneurs in renewing the economic activity in the state. The other significant topic of discussion concerned energy. The realisation of the Baltic energy interconnection plan and the achievements of the High Level group. The development of a common Baltic energy market is a precondition for the further inter-connection with the Scandinavian energy market. Presently Latvia's energy market is already open for business but Estonia is on schedule to achieve this by 2013. Mr Dombrovskis expressed an invitation to Estonia to open its energy market sooner, so as to create an effective and functioning common Baltic energy market. Mr Dombrovskis emphasised "It is in Latvia's interests to create a Baltic energy market on the principle of equal competitiveness". In discussing the energy issue, Latvia's and Estonia's prime ministers expressed concerns on the slow progress of the Visaginas nuclear power station in Lithuania. This issue is one of the most important matters on the agenda for the next meeting of all three Baltic state prime ministers at Vilnius in April. The meeting also covered the matter of Sweden's forthcoming presidency of the European Union, which will commence on 1 July. Both sides agreed that this would be an impulse for Baltic Sea strategising as well as for the implementation of the Eastern Partnership. It is in Latvia's interests that the common EU policy for this region should be active and that regional co-operation and development are high on the agenda. In May this year the inauguration summit will take place at which 27 EU member states will participate alongside 6 Eastern Partnership states. The officials also exchanged views and opinions on the Lisbon Treaty and its further direction, the upcoming European Parliament elections, the new EU Commission and election of the new NATO Secretary-General, as well as the NATO Summit on 3-4 April, which will also celebrate 60 years of the Alliance. The Cabinet of Ministers, 2 April 2009 Foreign Minister emphasises the significance of EU enlargement policy in ensuring the stability of Europe On 27 - 28 March, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins attended the EU informal meeting of foreign ministers (Gymnich), which took place in Hlubok near Vltava, in the Czech Republic. Among the issues on the agenda were the situation in the Middle East, the development of EU civil capability in the context of Europe's security and defence policy, and Belarus. During the meeting the foreign ministers discussed EU strategy in the Western Balkans. There was also an exchange of views with ministers from the Western Balkan region about recent developments in the region, as well as about issues related to EU enlargement and accession negotiations by the candidate states. In the exchanges of opinion on Belarus, Foreign Minister Riekstins observed that Belarus is a full member of the Eastern Partnership initiative and in this regard it is important for the EU to send positive signals to Belarus about its involvement in this new EU policy, including the Eastern Partnership summit meeting which has been planned for 7 May, currently in the process of preparation. In debates about the EU strategy in the Western Balkan region, the Latvian Foreign Minister noted with satisfaction the Adriatic-Baltic-Atlantic meeting that took place in Riga earlier in the week. "Within the framework of this meeting, and also in bilateral talks, our Western Balkan colleagues have clearly expressed their wish and readiness to work intensively on continuing their reform path, however united support from the European Union is of crucial significance for the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of these countries," Minister Riekstins pointed out, underlining also that already in 2009 progress should be made in the relaxation of visa requirements. Foreign Minister Riekstins added that it is vital to achieve closer regional co-operation in the Western Balkans, and reiterated support for efforts by the EU in seeking a solution to the sea border dispute between Croatia and Slovenia, which has already affected the progress of Croatia's accession negotiations. The aim of the informal EU foreign ministers meeting format is to provide an opportunity for open and in-depth debates and exchanges of opinion on current issues on the foreign policy agenda. These meetings, which are organised once per each term of EU Presidency, were named Gymnich after the castle in Germany where in 1974 this type of informal meeting of foreign ministers took place for the first time. MFA, 28 March 2009
Foreign Minister reiterates Latvia's support for the stabilisation of Afghanistan Within the framework of the conference, the expected outcome of the forthcoming 20 August elections in Afghanistan was viewed in the context of the nation's further development, and also the possible involvement of the international community in supporting the preparations and the process of the elections. Conference participants noted with satisfaction that the U.S. administration has drafted a new strategy for both Afghanistan and Pakistan, emphasising that 2009 should mark an irreversible turning-point in the limitation of terrorist activities, in the promotion of long term stability and the facilitation of reconstruction in Afghanistan and the region as a whole. Foreign Minister Riekstins' presentation to the conference confirmed Latvia's support for the stabilisation and development of Afghanistan. "Latvia's investment in the military operation, in proportion to its population, is one of the greatest among not only NATO forces, but also the International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF)," noted Minister Riekstins. The Minister confirmed that the international military operation in Afghanistan will be a priority in Latvia's security policy also in the future. Minister Riekstins invited conference participants to maintain a close and co-ordinated policy on Afghanistan in co-operation with NATO, the EU, OSCE and in support of UN missions, and to support the Special Representative to Afghanistan in the efforts to stabilise the security situation. At the same time Minister Riekstins accentuated the importance of regional co-operation, drawing special attention to the situation in Pakistan, as well as co-operation with other central Asian states, noting of course the traditionally close relationships of these states with Afghanistan. At the close of the conference, participants identified as a priority area the increase of government capacity in Afghanistan, in observance of the principles of good governance and in improvements to the security situation, the government's ability to undertake security controls and to facilitate economic development and regional co-operation. Particular attention was devoted to the reduction of corruption in government and in facilitating the process of political reconciliation. Conference participants promised to increase the resources intended for the reconstruction of Afghanistan, to participate in the training of Afghanistan's security forces and to strengthen the participation of civil experts in the reconstruction process. The conference was attended by representatives of 72 countries of the world from six continents, ten international organisations, as well as representatives from six international organisations with the status of observer.
An English language press statement on the conference Detailed information on the conference itself is available on the official website MFA, 30 - 31 March 2009
Flag raising ceremony held in honour of Latvia's five years in NATO A flag raising ceremony was held on 29 March, in honour of the 5th anniversary of Latvia's accession to NATO. At the Riga castle, the flags of Latvia and NATO were raised in the presence of President Valdis Zatlers, Defence Minister Imants Liegis, Foreign Ministry State Secretary Andris Teikmanis, the commander of the National Armed Forces (NBS), commanders of the branches of the NBS, and representatives of the diplomatic corps. During the ceremony, President Zatlers delivered an address, there was a ceremonial changing of the guard at the Riga Castle, and a march past by soldiers from the NBS. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the President gave a symbolic start to the "NATO Information Jeep at Latvian Schools" project. From there, he proceeded to an informational tent, next to the Freedom Monument, which was devoted to Latvia's five years in NATO, complete with various activities for the people of Riga and the city's guests. The tent was prepared by the Latvian Transatlantic Organisation (LATO). Read | Other link President's Chancery, 29 March 2009
http://www.president.lv 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 |
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