Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins briefs Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis on Ministry priorities

On 10 January, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins is to brief Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis regarding this year's priorities for the ministry and on its urgent tasks.

Minister Riekstins emphasises that the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty is the Ministry's top priority in relation to the European Union. Once the signed copy of the Lisbon Treaty is received early next month it will be submitted to the European Affairs Committee and the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Saeima, so that the ratification procedure may be successfully concluded by the beginning of summer. In February, José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission is to visit Latvia and a conference on EU-related topics will be organised in association with the EC Representation in Latvia. 

On the priority list there is support to the EU Reflection Group, to be co-chaired by Vaira Vike-Freiberga, former President of Latvia. The Ministry has appointed Ambassador-at-Large Rolands Lappuke to assist Mrs Vike-Freiberga. 

The Foreign Minister points out that the Ministry will continue working to ensure Latvia's successful presidency of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS). In early June, the summit of the Council of the Baltic Sea States will take place in Riga. "During its CBSS presidency, it would be important for Latvia to also organise some broader-scale events on the dynamics of economic co-operation among the Baltic Sea Region countries," Minister Riekstins notes.

Mr Riekstins's agenda includes participation in the NATO Summit at Bucharest, Romania, during which NATO member countries will have to adopt a decision with regard to inviting Croatia, Albania and Macedonia to join NATO. Until that time, the minister is planning to visit these countries and to acquaint himself with the reform processes in each state. 

One of the significant foreign policy issues also concerns Latvia's participation in a [crisis management] operation in Kosovo planned by the EU that will involve 1800 people from all the Member states. Latvia advocates EU support to Kosovo development in conformity with Europe's security interests.

For the implementation of priorities as determined by Latvia in the area of neighbourhood policy, the Foreign Minister intends to visit Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia early this year.

With regard to Russia, Maris Riekstins notes that it is important to proceed with the work of the Latvia-Russia Inter-governmental Commission. Presently the agenda of bilateral relations between Latvia and Russia includes three agreements: On co-operation in tourism, On foreign investment promotion and protection and On the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income and on capital.

A consequential topic for the Ministry is the formation of a State border demarcation commission. Next month, the commission membership list for Latvia is to be submitted for the approval at the Cabinet of Ministers.  

The Foreign Ministry will continue its work towards the opening of new border-crossing points and for the resolution, at European Union level, of problems related to the crossing of Latvian-Russian border.

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