Political consultations between Latvia and Turkey held in Ankara [07 May 2003]

On 5 May 2003, political consultations between Latvia and Turkey were held in Ankara, chaired by the Under-Secretary of State of Latvia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Andris Teikmanis, and Deputy Undersecretary of State of Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Baki Ilkin. Other participants included Under-Secretary of State of Latvia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Latvia's Ambassador to Turkey, Ivars Pundurs; and Director of the EU Policy Department, Astra Kurme. During the visit, a meeting also took place with the Undersecretary of State of Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ugur Ziyal.

Turkey congratulated Latvia on its progress in NATO integration. Turkish officials expressed the hope that Latvia's Protocol of Accession to NATO could be ratified by the end of this year. Concerning EU-related issues, Latvian officials shared their experience of integration into the EU. Turkey expressed its commitment to continue the reform process already underway towards attainment of the Copenhagen political criteria, in order to receive approval from the European Council to start accession negotiations at the end of 2004.

Other issues discussed included transatlantic cooperation, the renewal of Iraq, and the possibility of settling conflicts in Cyprus and the Middle East.

Given the increasing interest in Turkey and the Turkish language in Latvia, Turkish representatives informed they would seek the opening of a Turkish Information Centre in Riga.

During the consultations, the Ambassador of Latvia to Turkey Ivars Pundurs signed an agreement between Latvia and Turkey on cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters. The Agreement provides for the development of closer cooperation between the customs institutions of the two countries.

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