Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins and Canadian Minister for Trade discuss opportunities for the strengthening of economic and political relations

On 5 May, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with Stockwell Burt Day Jr., the Canadian Minister for International Trade and the Asia-Pacific Gateway, who was on a visit to Latvia. This is the first time that a Canadian Minister for Trade has visited Latvia.

Minister Riekstins noted with pleasure the development of relations between both countries, emphasising that Latvia has always received Canada's support in the achievement of its goals. Canada was the first of the NATO countries to ratify the protocols on Latvia's accession NATO. As one of the priorities of bilateral co-operation, Foreign Minister Riekstins mentioned the intensification of economic relations, pointing out that presently, co-operation is taking place in the fields of food manufacture, pharmaceuticals and in the textiles. Minister Riekstins pointed out that Latvia and Canada both wish to co-operate in the development of democratic and socio-economic processes and in the strengthening of the European neighbour region.

Within the framework of their discussions, Messrs Riekstins and Day discussed also Canada's and Latvia's joint efforts in Afghanistan. The Canadian minister expressed his deepest sympathy in regard to the two Latvian soldiers who were killed on 1 May.

During their discussions attention focussed also on European Union – Canada relations.  Canada's Minister for International Trade is visiting Latvia one day before the scheduled EU – Canada summit which will take place in Prague, and at which it is planned to commence negotiations on a universal EU – Canada economic partnership agreement.

Following their discussions, both ministers signed an agreement on the promotion and protection of investments between the Republic of Latvia and the government of Canada. Minister Riekstins expressed his pleasure at the strengthening of the legal framework on issues with regard to investments, which is a positive signal to businessmen of both states.  Minister Day noted that Latvia is the first of the new EU member states to sign an agreement which guarantees the compatibility of agreements already signed with EU laws in general.

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