Latvian and Italian Foreign Ministers agree on co-operation in preparing for European Union Presidency

On 24 January, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins during his meeting with Massimo D'Alema, Foreign Minister of Italy, discussed both bilateral relations and ongoing developments in the European Union and NATO.

With regard to bilateral relations, both parties expressed their interest to enhance political and economic dialogue. The Italian side confirmed that in the nearest future the ratification of the Convention for the Avoidance of Double Taxation with respect to Taxes on Income and Capital and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion will be finalised in the Italian Parliament.

In discussions about topical European Union matters, the main focus of attention was the ratification process of the Lisbon Treaty, as well as issues related to the implementation of the Treaty by member states, including the formation of the External Action Service of the European Union. Taking into account that Latvia in 2015 will share the European Union presidency trio with Italy and Luxembourg, Minister Riekstins invited his Italian counterpart to work together in the preparation process. Both parties agreed on the exchange of experts between the foreign services of Italy and Latvia.

During the meeting, the ministers exchanged views on the situation in West Balkans, including the issue of Kosovo and the presidential elections in Serbia, as well as co-operation within the framework of the Neighbourhood Policy.

With regard to the upcoming NATO summit, both parties noted that the preparedness of candidate countries to enter into negotiations on joining the alliance should be given very serious consideration. Mr Riekstins also expressed his support for the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of Ukraine and Georgia. 

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Latvian Foreign Minister spoke about Baltic Sea States regional co-operation and informed his counterpart both on Latvia's activities during its presidency in the Council of the Baltic Sea States, as well as on the development of a European Union strategy for the Baltic Sea Region.

During his visit, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins also met with Umberto Ranieri, President of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Chamber of Deputies at the Parliament of the Italian Republic. Both sides agreed that an active intergovernmental and interparliamentary dialogue should be maintained. During the meeting, the situation in Italy's domestic policy was also discussed.

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Una Pušpūra

Foreign Minister's Press Secretary

Tel. (+371) 7016399

Mob. (+371) 26410149

e-mail: Una.Puspura@am.gov.lv