Foreign Minister Aivis Ronis invites to shape Baltic Forum Conference into a true Latvia-Russia dialogue with participation of full spectrum of political powers [28 May 2010]

On 28 May, Foreign Minister Aivis Ronis addressed the participants of the 15th Conference of the Baltic Forum. This year the event is titled Global Politics, Economy and Security after the Crisis: New Challenges and Aims.

In his address, Foreign Minister Ronis urged to shape the Baltic Forum conference into a genuine dialogue between Latvia and Russia with the participation of the full spectrum of political powers, and the presence of allies and partners. "Pull down the wall, in this case – the wall of prejudice, so that also other political powers from both our countries could voice their opinions and meet together with you," noted Minister Ronis, inviting to hear out different opinions in a dialogue.

Further in his speech, the Foreign Minister of Latvia emphasised the "three whales" of a responsible politics of Latvia, or a "troika" of aspects behind the recovery of Latvia's competitiveness: first – a coordinated and solidarity-based exit strategy from the crisis, second – a renewed NATO with committed member countries who can handle new and old threats, and third – partnership with its neighbours.