Highlights Foreign Minister of the Republic of Belarus visits Latvia Representatives of the Senate of the Republic of France visit Latvia
In brief Letter of Accreditation presented to Latvia's ambassador to Spain, Rolands Lappuke Foreign Minister's press conference on the results of Latvia's five-year membership of the European Union and on future challenges International conference "Belonging to Europe – history, culture and political identity"
Foreign Minister of the Republic of Belarus visits Latvia On 22 April, President Valdis Zatlers met at Riga Castle with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, Sergey Martinov. During their meeting, the President and the foreign minister discussed the role of Belarus in the context of the European Union's Eastern Partnership initiative, as well as the potential for co-operation between the two countries in areas such as the economy, the energy market, transit, culture and education. The President also spoke about the role which is played in the lives of the Belarusian Diaspora in Latvia by the Riga Belarusian Elementary School, which President Zatlers visited in late February. Foreign Minister Martinov, for his part, thanked the President for his support for the school's work. Both officials spoke highly of co-operation in the area of culture. On 22 April, Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis of the Republic of Latvia also held a meeting with Foreign Minister Sergey Martinov. During their meeting both officials focused on the topical matters of bilateral economic co-operation in such areas as transport and logistics, energy, production and trade. Mr. Dombrovskis urged the Belarusian side to develop investments into Latvia and to work together on developing more active energy-related contacts between Latvia and Belarus. Both sides admitted that it is important to develop bilateral co-operation between Latvia and Belarus and to continue the activities of the Inter-governmental Committee by including the current co-operation issues on its agenda. In addressing issues of economic co-operation, Prime Minister Dombrovskis expressed Latvia's interest in increasing the number of flights between Latvia and Belarus. The officials also addressed the necessity to strengthen co-operation in the area of transit cargo transportation by involving Asian countries. Mr.Dombrovskis expressed the position that it is essential to continue current projects and to develop and launch new projects. The Latvian Prime Minister also expressed his concerns about the impact of the devaluation of the Belarusian Rouble on the Latvian economy and requested Belarus to avoid discriminatory import measures which have an adverse effect on the export of Latvian products. The officials discussed the situation with regard to facilitated border crossing for border area residents and on the improved performance and efficiency of border crossing points. Both sides shared the view that it is necessary to co-ordinate their respective positions and to develop concrete co-operation projects. Latvia's Foreign Minister Riekstins also met with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus on 22 April. During their meeting the ministers discussed the state of bilateral relations between Latvia and Belarus, emphasising the open and constructive dialogue and accenting the facilitation of economic co-operation. Minister Riekstins informed his colleague that Latvia's businessmen see a broad potential for economic co-operation with Belarus, especially in such areas as machine construction, metal-works, wood-processing, pharmaceuticals and also emphasising investment possibilities. The ministers also exchanged opinions on the need to strengthen the legal framework between both countries and agreed to evaluate further opportunities with regard to the existing treaties on re-admission and on environmental protection. The Ministers were of one mind on the intensification of the work of the inter-governmental commission with regard to economic, scientific and technical co-operation issues and especially in the areas of transport, transit, and energy. During their discussions, attention also focussed on the relationship between Belarus and the European Union and on the noticeably positive dynamic of recent times. Minister Riekstins emphasised that the new EU Eastern Partnership initiative is a prospective platform for both multilateral and bilateral co-operation with each of the Eastern Partnership states, including with Belarus. Minister Riekstins pointed to Latvia's interests in co-operation with Belarus with regard to the facilitation of the mobility of people, market development, environmental issues, energy, as well as mutual educational projects. "The strengthening of democratic values and guaranteeing of stability in Belarus are important issues for the European Union. The EU is prepared to work with all the Eastern Partnership states, allowing for a differential approach in accordance with the individual achievements and interests of each state", noted the Latvian foreign minister. Mr Martinov's working visit is the first visit to Latvia by a Foreign Minister from the Republic of Belarus after an interval of eleven years. The previous visit at Foreign Minister level took place in 1998, when the then Belarus Minister for Foreign Affairs was Ivan Antonovich. Read | Other link | Other link President's Chancery, 22 April 2009 The Cabinet of Ministers, 22 April 2009 MFA, 22 April 2009
Representatives of the Senate of the Republic of France visit Latvia From 19 - 21 April at the invitation of the Saeima Parliamentary Group for Co-operation with the Parliament of France, representatives of the Senate of the Republic of France were on an Official Visit to Latvia. The Delegation was led by Denis Badre, Chairman of the Senate of the Republic of France and also of the Baltic Friendship Group which included Deputy Chairman Bertrand Auban, as well as the Chairman of the France-Latvia sub committee, Jacques Legendre, and Michel Laflandre, leader of the international relations bureau French Presence in the World. In greeting the French parliamentarians to the Saeima, Speaker Gundars Daudze thanked them for the support which Latvia has received at various times in history. "Latvia has always valued most highly the support of France in the attainment of our independence de jure as well as the fact that France never recognised the incorporation of Latvia into the then USSR" emphasised Mr Daudze. At the meeting, both sides discussed the parliamentary co-operation between France and Latvia as well as economic and cultural contacts. The Speaker of the Saeima described the relationship between both states as very good and intensive at all levels of co-operation. Since 2004, the Latvia-France trade balance has doubled, and still, it is in the area of economics in which both states envisage an especially great development potential, noted Mr Daudze. The Speaker of the Saeima also expressed satisfaction at the high level of exchange in both culture and education. "The interest about France, its culture and language, has always been great in Latvia. Many of Latvia's inhabitants still remember most vividly the 2007 cultural event French Spring in Latvia," said Mr. Daudze. Both sides were of one mind with regard to the importance of the co-operation between the Parliaments of Latvia and of France in the building of relations between countries. Denis Badre, Chairman of the Senate of the Republic of France and also of the Baltics Friendship group, invited a delegation from the Saeima to visit the Senate in the near future. It is exactly the two-way contact between parliamentarians which is the basis for multilateral co-operation forums, emphasised Denis Badre. As an example he mentioned the active co-operation of Latvia's parliamentarians in various international forums – The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, and Conférence des Organes Spécialisés dans les Affaires Communautaires (COSAC - the Conference of Community and European Affairs Committees). Denis Badre advised that the French Senate has a combined France—Baltics Friendship group, which has three sub-groups, one each for co-operation with Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. The leader of the France-Latvia subcommittee, Jacques Legendre, is also Secretary-General of the Francophonie. The Parliamentarians from France met with the Latvian Parliamentary Group for Co-operation with the French Parliament. During their exchange, Denis Badre expressed his appreciation to the Latvian group's Chairperson – Sandra Kalniete, for her contribution to the strengthening of relations between France and Latvia, especially when she served as Latvia's Ambassador to France. For her part, Sandra Kalniete reminded all present that the present economic crisis has not been created by the Baltic, nor by the Eastern European states. The crisis commenced in the U.S. and only later impacted on Europe, where the Baltic states have suffered the most. That is why Sandra Kalniete has invited France to support Latvia's earlier joining of the Euro zone "So that France, as one of Europe's most influential nations, could consider what needs to be done for our state's inclusion into the Euro zone" said Sandra Kalniete. On 20 April, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met also with Denis Badre, Chairman of the Senate of the Republic of France–Baltic state Parliamentary Friendship Group, and with Mr Bertrand Auban, Deputy Chairman, as well as with Jacques Legendre – Chair of the France–Latvia sub committee. During their meeting, both sides positively evaluated the level and development of the inter-state political dialogue. Maris Riekstins emphasised, that the declaration of 23 May 2008 by Heads of Government – the political declaration on Latvia's and France's strategic partnership was a renewal of the desire of both states to strengthen the political dialogue, also at parliamentary level. Denis Badre noted the importance of parliamentary level diplomacy not only at bilateral level, but also as a part of the consolidation of European Union processes. The Minister and the Senators were of one mind that the strength of Europe lies in its unity and for exactly this reason, both Latvia and France should employ the various formats for expressing a strengthening of relations. In discussing issues on the agenda of the European Union, Minister Riekstins and the Senators from France reviewed the various issues concerning diversity of energy sources and supply, the prospects with regard to the ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon, emphasising the necessity to ratify it sooner rather than later, and other significant issues. The Senators expressed their conviction that the present economic crisis actually brings the European states more together, as the crisis indicates a necessity for solidarity and the need to search for common solutions at the European level. The Saeima, 21 April 2009 MFA, 20 April 2009
Letter of Accreditation presented to Latvia's ambassador to Spain, Rolands Lappuke On 22 April, in the Riga Castle, President Valdis Zatlers presented the Letter of Accreditation to Rolands Lappuke, the newly appointed ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain. The previous ambassador to Spain was Imants Liegis who has just been confirmed as Minister for Defence in the new government of Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis. Rolands Lappuke has previously served as Latvia's ambassador to Portugal and to France. President's Chancery, 22 April 2009 Foreign Minister's press conference on the results of Latvia's five-year membership of the European Union and on future challenges On 23 April, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins held a press conference on the results to date of Latvia's five-year membership of the European Union and on challenges that may lie ahead. On 1 May it will be five years since Latvia became a member state of the European Union. On 1 May 2004, the greatest single increase of membership in the history of the European Union took place. In addition to Latvia, nine other states also were accepted into the Union: the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Lithuania, Malta, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary and Poland. MFA, 23 April 2009
International conference "Belonging to Europe – history, culture and political identity" The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, in association with the University of Latvia, and together with the Representation of the European Commission in Latvia, the European Parliament Information Office in Latvia, the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and the Embassies of the EU countries in Latvia, is organising a conference entitled "Belonging to Europe – history, culture and political identity" that will take place on 7 May, 2009 in Riga. Patroness of the conference is Vice–chair of the EU Reflection Group on the Future of the European Union 2020-2030 and past President of Latvia, Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga. Intellectuals from Belgium, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey will discuss the different aspects of European cultural, political and social identities, post-nationalism in Europe and the challenge of overcoming Euro-centrism. The conference will take place in the main building of the University of Latvia at Raina Blvd. 19, Riga. Simultaneous translation into French, Latvian, German and English will be provided. The conference is one of the main events dedicated to the 5th anniversary of Latvia's membership in the European Union. The programme of the conference MFA, 21 April 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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