Current LatviaTHEME IN FOCUS: Russia No. 24, 5 April 2002 BILATERAL AND REGIONAL CO-OPERATION
BILATERAL AND REGIONAL CO-OPERATION Latvian Foreign Minister: Further co-operation with the Kaliningrad Oblast is essential for sustainable development of the entire Baltic Sea region On 6 March 2002 the 11th Ministerial Session of the Council of the Baltic Sea States took place in Svetlogorsk, Kaliningrad Oblast, Russia. The Session was held in the framework of the 10th anniversary since the foundation of CBSS as a retrospect of the past performance and the discussion of future priorities. The Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Indulis Berzins addressed the Session on behalf of Latvia. In his speech he focused on the role of CBSS in the region in general as well as regional co-operation on the national and municipal levels with special emphasis on the implementation of cross-border co-operation projects. The Minister voiced support for the development of the Kaliningrad Oblast and expressed Latvia's interest in the co-operation with that region. Mr Berzins appreciated the contribution of the CBSS Commissioner on Democratic Development to the consolidation of democracy and human rights in CBSS member countries. In the conclusion of the 11th Ministerial Session of the CBSS the Ministers signed a declaration that emphasised the importance of regional co-operation. As important fields of co-operation the declaration mentions: fight against organised crime, development of the Northern Dimension Action Plan, economic co-operation with particular emphasis on the involvement of Kaliningrad Oblast in cross-border economic co-operation, consolidation of democracy, education (particularly pertaining to the EuroFaculty in Kaliningrad), civil security and prevention of non-military threats in the region. MFA (06.03.2002) Declaration, 11th Ministerial Session of the Council of the Baltic Sea States, Svetlogorsk, Kaliningrad Oblast, 5 - 6 March 2002: http://www.am.gov.lv/en/?id=4615
Latvian, Estonian and Russian officials note importance of cross-border co-operation in development of relations between countries On 21 - 22 February 2002 in Krivsk (Pskov Oblast, the Russian Federation), an international conference "Cross-border Co-operation between Latvia, Russia and Estonia" was held; it was organised by the Council of Europe in collaboration with the Pskov Oblast administration and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. The conference brought together leaders of local governments from frontier regions of Latvia, Russia and Estonia (from Latvia âŔ“ local governments of Aluksne, Balvi, Ludza and Valka), representatives of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Russia and Estonia and other national-level institutions, as well as experts from the Council of Europe and the European Union. During the conference the discussion was held concerning legal, economic and practical aspects of co-operation of frontier regions of Latvia and Estonia with Pskov Oblast, as well as the issues relating to the impact, which the EU enlargement could, in future, have on the development of the co-operation. The representatives of the three Ministries, as well as the experts from the Council of Europe and the EU welcomed the accomplishments of local governments, noting, as a positive example of cross-border co-operation, the Council for Co-operation of Border Regions of the Republic of Latvia, the Russian Federation, and the Republic of Estonia, established in 1997. Representatives of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Russia and Estonia pointed to the importance of cross-border co-operation in the context of intergovernmental relations. MFA (23.02.2002) Council for Co-operation of Border Regions of the Republic of Latvia, the Russian Federation, and the Republic of Estonia: http://www.aluksne.lv/cbc/en/index_en.htm
Russia agrees to opening of Latvian consular office in Kaliningrad The Latvian Foreign Ministry on 19 February 2002 received a note from Russia, giving its consent to opening of a consular office in Russia's Baltic enclave, Kaliningrad. A Latvian diplomat will soon be assigned to the Kaliningrad office where he will work under the consular department head of the Latvian Embassy to Russia. Part of the money required to set up the Kaliningrad office has already been allocated from the Latvian Foreign Ministry's budget and the remainder will be provided by the Latvian Port Council. The Port Council will contribute 31,400 lats to cover some of the opening costs, and it has also granted 21,900 lats towards establishment of a transportation attaché office in Russia. On 28 January 2002 Russian Prime Minister Mr Mikhail Kasyanov signed a resolution about the agreement with Latvia on opening of a consular office in Kaliningrad. He also instructed the Kaliningrad Oblast administration and the municipality of the Kaliningrad city to co-operate with Latvia on setting up the consular office that would make it much easier for the region's population to obtain Latvian visas. BNS (20.02.2002)
Latvian and Russian Culture Ministers sign co-operation agreement Latvian and Russian Culture Ministers on 14 March 2002 in Moscow signed an agreement on co-operation between Culture Ministries of the two countries envisaging to expand and improve co-operation in the areas of culture and arts. The document signed by Ms Karina Petersone of Latvia and Mr Mikhail Shvidkoy of Russia will replace the co-operation agreement between the two Ministries signed in 1996 and effective through March 2001, a spokesman for the Latvian Embassy in Moscow reported. The agreement between Latvian and Russian Culture Ministries is aimed at promoting direct co-operation between culture institutions, creating favourable conditions for Latvia's minority culture development in Russia and Russian minority culture development in Latvia, co-operating in training of culture and arts people, holding scientific conferences and others. The talks of Latvian and Russian delegations focused on development prospects for co-operation between the two countries and the expected culture events in Latvia and Russia in the near future. Ms Petersone cited as an example for this co-operation the Latvian cinema days in Moscow and St. Petersburg planned for late April while Mr Shvidkoy praised Ms Petersone's initiative to hold guest performances of Latvian National Opera in Moscow in spring 2003 and voiced support of Russian Culture Ministry to the arrangement of these guest performances. The Ministers also discussed the possibility to arrange during the second half of this year guest performances of Riga's Theatre of Russian Drama in Siberia's cities housing also Latvian diaspora. Mr Shvidkoy also invited Ms Petersone to join Council of the Baltic Sea States Culture Ministers meeting planned for 2003 in St. Petersburg. BNS (14.03.2002)
Latvian-Russian agreement on co-operation in social security could be signed this year If the optimistic prognoses come to fruition, Latvia and Russia could sign an agreement on bilateral co-operation in the social security sector already this year. Welfare Ministry State Secretary Ms Maija Porsnova told a press conference on 2 April 2002 that if both sides have no objection to the agreement by the beginning of May, the draft agreement could be prepared for signing by June. According to Ms Porsnova, the agreement could be signed during the term of office of the current Saeima (the Parliament of Latvia) and take effect next year. It is estimated that the agreement will concern about 22,000 residents, it could cost LVL 2.5 million for the Latvian side after it takes effect, said Ms Porsnova. These figures are likely to change by the time the agreement takes effect, she stressed. Latvian and Russian Federation negotiated the agreement in Moscow at the end of this past March. Latvian and Russian experts have agreed in principle about its wording. The delegation of Russian experts was headed by Russian Deputy Minister for Social Development Mr Yuri Lublin, the Latvian delegation âŔ“ by Ms Porsnova. The agreement will regulate the procedure for paying pensions and benefits to persons who have been insured or worked in the other country. The basic principle of the agreement says that both sides pay pensions for the periods that respective pensioners have worked on their territory, according to national legislation. The pensions then are sent to the country where the respective pensioner resides currently. In Latvia, State Social Insurance Agency will be responsible for paying pensions according to the agreement. The Russian Federation introduced new law for its social security sector on 1 January 2002. It says that Russian pensioners can receive pensions regardless of where they currently reside. The agreement between Latvia and Russia on co-operation in social security will take effect after it is ratified, simultaneously with an agreement on the procedure for implementing the bilateral agreement. LETA (02.04.2002)
Latvian government accepts tax co-operation agreement with Russia On 19 February 2002 the Latvian government endorsed Latvian and Russian inter-governmental agreement on co-operation and information exchange concerning tax legislation observance. The agreement will form legal basis for mutual administrative assistance between national tax administrations of both countries which will take shape as mutual co-operation in elimination of tax legislation breaches through promotion and development of operative legal information exchange. The Finance Ministry said the agreement will not require additional spending from the state budget but, on the contrary, could even raise budget revenues as a result of better tax administration. BNS (19.02.2002)
Minister of Economy optimistic about development of Latvian-Russian economic relations Minister of Economy Mr Aigars Kalvitis believes that Latvian-Russian economic relations will improve already in the near future. He made the comment on 21 March 2002 upon returning from Moscow where a meeting of the Council of the Baltic Sea States' trade and economy ministers was held. Mr Kalvitis also had a bilateral meeting on 19 March with Russian Minister for Economic Development and Trade Mr Gherman Gref, who confirmed that the Russian side was ready to promote both countries' legislative ties. The economic co-operation should improve after Latvia and Russia sign agreements for the avoidance of double taxation, protection of investments and co-operation in customs matters. On the next day after both officials' meeting, Mr Gref's deputy submitted to the Latvian delegation a draft agreement on the protection of investments. LETA (21.03.2002)
Baltic Sea states' customs to monitor cargo movement electronically The Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) agreed in a meeting in Moscow to set up an Internet home page allowing to monitor cargo movement between customs of the Baltic region countries in real time regime, Russian Minister for Economic Development and Trade Mr Gherman Gref said. The Minister said in a news conference in Moscow that "Internet cameras will be installed in all major customs points on borders which will enable us to follow the work". The meeting participants believe such monitoring will help to work on improvement of customs operation scheme between countries of the region, said Mr Gref. Economics and trade ministers of the Baltic Sea states in the meeting in Moscow on 20 March 2002 discussed what is called Moscow plan for implementation of common customs co-operation programme. The meeting participants said a programme should be worked out for monitoring movement of cargo between Russia and the Baltic States. It is also planned to work out and sign agreement on co-operation between customs services of these countries in the sphere of information. BNS (21.03.2002)
Latvian and Russian railways co-operate in use of telecom networks Russian and Latvian railways have connected their optical cable networks in a move aimed at modernisation of telecommunications networks. Latvian railway company "Latvijas Dzelzcels" (LDz) and Russian railway last summer agreed to connect optical cables of the two railways as part of updating of specialised railway telecommunications networks. As a result an advanced digital technology optical cable connection has been made, the first such type of connection connecting Latvia with Russia's telecommunications networks. The communications network modernisation will significantly improve communications quality required for railway transportations by securing fast information exchange about movement of train cars and supplies of cargo thus raising transportation efficiency and competitiveness. Considering the fact that no one else in Latvia has such an advanced telecommunications connection with Russia, LDz could in the future offer this service to other telecommunications market players as well considering the planned liberalisation of Latvia's telecommunications market. For the Russian party the modernisation works were done by Transtelekom at the order of Russian railway while for the Latvian party the required works were done by LDz. LDz has invested USD 11 million in telecommunications cable modernisation. BNS (12.02.2002)
Riga City Council urges businessmen to participate in "Riga Expo 2002" in Moscow The Riga City Council is calling on entrepreneurs to take part in the "Riga Expo 2002" fair in Moscow. Latvian industrial and food producers, service and tourism agencies have been invited to participate in the fair. Information on the trends in Latvia's economic development, tourism and Latvian export opportunities will be available for Moscow residents at the fair from 30 May through 3 June 2002. Mr Armands Kruze, the aide of the Riga City Council Chairman, stressed that organising the fair has been undertaken entirely by the Moscow government and this can be regarded as a sign of interest in enlivening co-operation with Riga. LETA (02.04.2002)
Latvia's "airBaltic" to resume flights to Moscow Latvia's "airBaltic" will resume flights to Moscow, and launch new routes to Vienna and Berlin as of this spring, reported the company. Flights to Moscow three times a week will start on 23 April 2002 and they will be covered together with Russia's "Aeroflot". Currently "airBaltic", owned by the Latvian state and SAS, makes flights from Riga to Stockholm, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Vilnius, Helsinki, Tallinn and Kiev. It is possible that flights on the Riga-St. Petersburg route will also be resumed this summer, Riga International Airport President Mr Dzintars Pomers told reporters on 3 April. Negotiations are under way with two Russian airlines, "Rossia" and "Severstal", about the resumption of flights. BNS (20.03.2002), LETA (03.04.2002)
Riga and Moscow city councils sign co-operation protocol Riga City Council Chairman, Mayor Mr Gundars Bojars and Moscow City Duma Chairman Mr Vladimir Platonov signed an agreement protocol on 22 February 2002 that sets future co-operation in several sectors. The Riga City Council reported that the protocol was signed with both sides expressing their desire to facilitate the development and the strengthening of Latvian-Russian relations, devoting primary attention to the development of partner relations between both capitals. Riga and Moscow, in signing the protocol, expressed their efforts to develop relations between the institutions of both cities, and to co-operate through organisation of joint seminars and other meetings. The protocol also foresees exchange of experience in the preparation of municipal rules and regulations and streamlining the local government system, as well as economic and budgetary issues. A priority for both cities according to the protocol âŔ“ widening contacts in education, science, environmental protection, sports, tourism, etc. Both sides also agree to promote co-operation between each respective city council and organise mutual visits. The protocol was signed for a period of five years. LETA (22.02.2002)
Moscow culture centre to be opened in Riga in 2003 To set up a culture centre of Moscow representation in Riga it is planned this year to reconstruct what formerly was a Railwaymen House in central Riga. Moscow City Government delegation headed by City Government Minister Mr Vladimir Malishkov arrived in Riga on 22 March 2002 to discuss the reconstruction related issues. It is planned to set up a library at the culture centre as well as tourism development bureau, a movie and a concert hall, Russian culture and art centre as well provide legal consultations, arrange children's activities and, possibly, also arrange providing health care services. The reconstruction of the building is expected to get under way this spring and is likely to be completed by the end of the year so the centre can launch operations in 2003. The building has not been purchased but was acquired based on what is called a principle of parity as the state-owned Latvijas Dzelzcels railway company owns a building in Moscow. Riga Mayor Mr Gundars Bojars told reporters Riga too is considering a possibility to open Riga culture centre in Moscow. Mr Bojars did not rule out such a centre, if established, would rather function as an economic centre. Mr Bojars and Moscow Mayor Mr Yuri Luzhkov in mid-December in Moscow signed an agreement on co-operation between the capital cities of Russia and Latvia. An agreement on co-operation between Riga and Moscow in the area of education was also signed. In January the two cities signed an agreement on co-operation in environmental protection. BNS (22.03.2002)
Riga ready to become patron of Riga Avenue in St. Petersburg ahead of its 300th anniversary Riga Mayor Mr Gundars Bojars said during his visit in St. Petersburg that Riga is ready to take under its patronage Riga Avenue as part of the Russian city's upcoming 300th anniversary, ABN news agency reports. During a meeting with Ms Natalia Batozhok, chairwoman of "Committee-300", Mr Bojars said that the Latvian side is ready to spruce up a square on Riga Avenue and restore the facades of several buildings. "Committee-300" reports that during Mr Bojars and Ms Batozhok's meeting, the Riga mayor described his experience in organising Riga's 800th anniversary last year. He offered his help to St. Petersburg in organising a seminar on security problems linked with major public events. Mr Bojars also said that regular airline traffic between Riga and St. Petersburg should be resumed. Riga is ready to offer the most advantageous conditions for launching a new airline, he said. LETA (18.03.2002)
Riga and St. Petersburg plan to co-operate in holding summer camps for school-children Riga plans to co-operate with Russia's St. Petersburg in holding summer camps for school-children, as LETA was informed by Mr Guntars Jirgensons, Chairman of the Riga City Council's Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Committee. During the recent visit to St. Petersburg, options for exchange in school-children summer camps between both cities were discussed. It is expected that about 40 Riga's pupils will depart for summer holidays to St. Petersburg and about the same number from St. Petersburg will spend their holidays in Latvia âŔ“ in Valmiera and Tukums camps. LETA (25.02.2002)
"The Future of the Baltic Sea Region", address by Dr Vaira Vike-Freiberga, President of the Republic of Latvia, at the University of Helsinki, 21 March 2002 (extracts) "I am convinced that the presence of a greater number of prosperous, stable and secure EU and NATO partners on Russia's western border will ultimately serve to help Russia's interests. As a future member of the European Union and the NATO alliance, Latvia's relationship with Russia is sure to improve and sure to be mutually beneficial if implemented in a pragmatic and sensible manner." "The Council of Baltic Sea States, which celebrates its tenth anniversary this year and which unites all of the Baltic Sea countries, as well as Norway and Iceland, has proven to be a remarkably effective instrument for promoting dialogue and increased cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region. The Council's initiators, Uffe Ellemann Jensen and Hans-Dietrich Genscher, can be proud of the broad scope of involvement that the organization has generated among national governments, municipalities, universities, NGOs, and thousands of individuals. Along the same vein, Latvia has supported Finland's EU Northern Dimension initiative from the very outset. The Northern Dimension, which foresees closer economic cooperation with Russia as well, will gain even more relevance following the accession of the Baltic countries and Poland to the European Union, after which 95% of the Baltic Sea's coastline will be surrounded by EU member states." Full text of the address: http://www.am.gov.lv/en/?id=3480
Intervention by Mr Andris Berzins, Prime Minister of the Republic of Latvia, at the Summit of the Vilnius Group Countries "The Spring of New Allies", Bucharest, 25 March 2002 (extract) "Baltic Sea cooperation consisting of eleven countries also includes Russia, that we see as a part of Europe whole and free. The Council of Baltic Sea States, the Northern Dimension of the EU as well as the US North European Initiative are effective instruments to ensure productive cooperation with Russia. Regional initiatives along with close cooperation between NATO and Russia, EU and Russia are clearly beneficial to all sides and to stability and security in Europe." Full text of the intervention: http://www.am.gov.lv/en/?id=3644
Statement by Mr Indulis Berzins, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia, at the 11th Ministerial Session of the Council of the Baltic Sea States, Svetlogorsk, Kaliningrad Oblast, 6 March 2002 (extracts) "Latvia considers the CBSS as a regional formation where the EU members, the associated countries of the EU and non-members like the Russian Federation, Norway and Iceland can benefit from the mutual co-operation within this framework. For Latvia, the CBSS has been and continues to be both a very important frame of reference in the process of integration into the European Union and a forum for fostering good neighbourly relations with all the countries of our region." "Throughout the last decade, Latvia has been actively involved in regional and cross-border co-operation. We have always viewed this co-operation as a promising mechanism for achieving practical results together with our neighbouring countries and other regional partners. Latvia and Russia have joined several trilateral and multilateral co-operation structures, namely, the Cross-border Co-operation Council of Latvia, Russia and Estonia and the 'euroregions' Saule and Baltica. New ideas and initiatives for promotion of cross-border co-operation are still evolving, for instance with the Pskov region. CrossâŔ“border coâŔ“operation is the priority area for local governments of Latvia, Estonia and Russia, whose accomplishments were praised by the EU during the recent international conference on Cross-border Co-operation between Latvia, Russia and Estonia held on 21 - 22 February this year." "Latvia is interested in further development of co-operation with the north-west regions of the Russian Federation. Latvia recognizes that further co-operation with the Kaliningrad Oblast is essential for sustainable development of the entire Baltic Sea region. Latvia is ready to expand co-operation with the Kaliningrad Oblast in fields, which are important for the entire Baltic Sea region, such as environmental protection, the fight against organized crime, development of information technologies, health care and the fight against communicable diseases. In order to promote co-operation with the Kaliningrad Oblast, Latvia has decided to open a consular office there. We welcome the constructive attitude to this issue taken by Russia. I hope to see the office operating within the coming month." Full text of the statement: http://www.am.gov.lv/en/?id=3621
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