Foreign Minister Aivis Ronis in his address to Ambassadors: main priority is foreign policy that restores Latvia's competitiveness in the region, and economic security [26 Aug 2010]

On 24 - 25 in Riga, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held the annual meeting of heads of diplomatic missions. The event brought together ambassadors representing Latvia's interests in 35 countries of the world and in six international organisations. The programme for the first day was focused on the promotion of the economic growth of Latvia, but the agenda for 25 August dealt with Latvia's priorities in the foreign policy of the European Union and NATO against the backdrop of international events and processes.

The meeting of heads of Latvia's diplomatic missions was opened by Foreign Minister Aivis Ronis who highlighted the priorities of his work – engaging resources and removing obstacles related to that, as well as raising national self-confidence. "The top priority is foreign policy activity to raise the value of strategic resources, restore Latvia's competitiveness in the region, and our economic security," the Foreign Minister emphasised.

The Minister indicated that in this context work should be continued with Germany, also with the aim of becoming part of the European Union – Russian co-operation. When speaking about the regional dimension, Foreign Minister accentuated the need for an even closer involvement of Poland in the economics of the region, including eastern Latvia. Foreign Minister Aivis Ronis underlined the aim of rendering foreign policy more rational and the necessity to be faithful to transatlantic collective security system. At the same time he drew attention to forging closer co-operation between the European Union and NATO.

President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers honoured the event with his presence and emphasised determination to make every effort towards the continuation of the initial foreign policy course. President Zatlers also shared reflections on a future perspective for Latvia and on strengthening patriotism among the people. Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis and the heads of diplomatic missions discussed the attraction of investment, economic situation in Latvia, the next year's budget, as well as the programme for economic stabilisation.

Representatives from five political powers had also arrived to meet the ambassadors and to contribute to the discussion on Latvia's economic situation and development prospects. Taking part in the discussion moderated by the Foreign Minister's supernumerary advisor on economic issues Ģirts Rungainis, were Aigars Štokenbergs (an association of political parties "Unity"), Raimonds Vējonis ("Union of Greens and Farmers"), Artūrs Bergholcs (a political association "Everything for Latvia" – TB/LNNK), Ainārs Šlesers (a political association "For a Good Latvia!") un Jānis Urbanovičs (an association of political parties "Harmony centre"). Although the politicians differed in their opinions on the promotion of Latvia's outgoing economies and development in a regional context, they shared a view that the role of the Latvian diplomatic service in the facilitation of Latvia's economic growth should be strengthened.

The Director of the Latvian Investment and Development Agency Andris Ozols informed the participants about the Agency's activities in attracting investments and reviewed co-operation with the Foreign Ministry and Latvian embassies abroad. Also taking part in the meeting was the head of the Corruption Prevention Department of the KNAB Diāna Kurpniece, who briefed the ambassadors about the latest developments in the field of corruption prevention.

On 25 August, the Ministry of Foreign Affiars received a visit from Helga Schmid, Director of Policy Unit of the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union, and Dirk Brengelmann, NATO's Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy. Mrs Shmid talked with the Latvian ambassadors about the EU topicalities in an international context – the European Neighbourhood Policy, with a particular focus on the Eastern Partnership, as well as about relations with third countries, the changes brought about by the Treaty of Lisbon, and the formation of the European External Action Service. The Council's representative commended Latvia on its participation in international missions in Georgia and elsewhere.

NATO's Bengelmann, together with the Permanent Representative of Latvia to NATO Jānis Eichmanis and other leaders of diplomatic missions debated the new NATO Strategic Concept, the Alliance's challenges in a changing international environment – terrorism, the proliferation of nuclear weapons, energy security and others. In his address, Brengelmann stressed that NATO does not aspire to become a global organisation, but to develop durable relations with global partners. Special attention was devoted to NATO's activity in Afghanistan and relations with Russia.

The Foreign Ministry Under-Secretary of State, Political Director Andris Razāns informed his colleagues about the current developments in international politics and reviewed Latvia's foreign policy priorities, but the head of the Foreign Ministry European Union Directorate Ilze Juhansone and the Permanent Representative of Latvia to the European Union Normunds Popens discussed with the ambassadors the topics on the EU agenda: tackling the economic and financial crisis, the EU 2020 Strategy, planning the EU's budget, as well as preparations for Latvia's EU presidency in 2015. The ambassadors were also addressed by the Minister of Culture Ints Dālderis.

In the conclusion of the meeting, Secretary of State Andris Teikmanis presented an outline of the directions and priorities for Latvia's foreign policy in future.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs organises an annual two-day meeting for the heads of the diplomatic representations of Latvia in order to evaluate the work accomplished during the year and to discuss further tasks of the diplomatic service.