Latvia backs neighbor over Russia trade sanctions

RIGA - Latvia has said it backs neighbor Lithuania following Russian trade sanctions against the country. It follows after Russia imposed a trade ban on some Lithuanian dairy products crossing the Russian border, citing quality concerns.

Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics said that he had met with Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius over the matter and later tweeted: “Latvia fully supports Lithuania against unfounded trade sanctions by Russia, EU must act in unity.”

European officials discussed the case on Oct. 8 and called on Russia to put an end to the measures. Lithuanian and Russian agriculture ministers also met over the matter, but no firm resolutions were taken, reports the Lithuania Tribune.

Lithuania currently holds the EU presidency and will host the Vilnius summit on Nov. 28-29. Ukraine and Moldova are expected to sign major association agreements with the European Union at the meeting.