Latvian and Canadian Foreign Ministers support strengthening of NATO forces in Afghanistan

On 28 November 2006, during a meeting between Latvian Foreign Minister Artis Pabriks and his Canadian counterpart Peter MacKay, both officials expressed their support for strengthening NATO forces in Afghanistan. Minister Pabriks briefed Mr Mackay on the mission of the Latvian troops in Afghanistan, and praised Canada's contribution to securing stability in Afghanistan.

The Latvian Foreign Minister called on his Canadian colleague to expedite the lifting of the visa regime with Latvia on the basis of the principle of reciprocity. Canadian citizens have been able to enter Latvia without a visa since 2003.

Minister Pabriks invited Canada to support Latvia's membership in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which unites 30 of the world's most developed countries.

Both Ministers exchanged invitations to visit Latvia and Canada. The Canadian Foreign Minister extended an invitation to visit Halifax, the capital of his native Canadian province Nova Scotia. During the World War II, the port of Halifax was the first point of destination for many Latvians settling into life in Canada.

Mr Pabriks praised the successful co-operation with Canada in providing assistance to Georgia and Moldova, and also discussed opportunities of expanding this co-operation to Ukraine and Belarus next year.

Foreign Minister Pabriks welcomed the appointment of Mr Peter Van Loan to the post of Canadian Minister for Intergovernmental Affairs. Mr Van Loan is a member of the Canadian Parliament, and is of Estonian origin. In July 2006, he visited Latvia, and provided significant support for the State visit by the President of Latvia to Canada in September of this year.

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