Estonian FM in Latvia: our experience of refom can be of use to Ukraine

While visiting Latvia on Friday, Estonian Foreign Minister Keit Pentus-Rosimannus discussed bilateral relations between the two countries, in terms of economic, energy and security cooperation, as well as Latvia’s current Presidency of the Council of the European Union with Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics, the foreign ministry's press department reports.

“Latvia celebrated 100 days of holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union and Estonia, which is preparing for the Presidency in 2018, is definitely interested in learning from the experiences of our neighbour,” Keit Pentus-Rosimannus said.

“We discussed preparations for the Eastern Partnership Summit in Riga in May and how to support Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova in carrying out their reforms. The reform experiences of both Estonia and Latvia can be of significant help to current Eastern Partnership countries.”

Bilateral relations between Estonia and Latvia continue to be very good, the foreign ministers said: “in addition to significant economic relations, Estonia and Latvia have launched joint regional projects, which are essential to the energy security of the entire region,” Foreign Minister Pentus-Rosimannus said, giving as an example the third power line between Estonia and Latvia.

At the meeting, the ministers also discussed security issues. “Estonia and Latvia have very similar views on security issues,” Foreign Minister Pentus-Rosimannus said. “Both Estonia and Latvia condemn Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and consider the full compliance of the Minsk Agreements to be of utmost importance,” the minister added.

It is traditional for the Estonian Foreign Minister to visit  neighbouring countries following the inauguration of the new government.