Even after withdrawal from EU, UK remains close partner to Latvia - Foreign Ministry state secretary

RIGA - Even though the UK is no longer a member of the European Union (EU), it still remains a close partner of Latvia with whom to explore new areas of cooperation and maintain a close and direct dialogue bilaterally as well as in regional and other international formats, Latvian Foreign Ministry State Secretary Andris Pelss said on Wednesday. 

As LETA was told at the Foreign Ministry, Pelss met with the UK's outgoing Ambassador to Latvia, Keith Shannon, on Wednesday. 

The meeting of the state secretary and the UK ambassador focused on Latvia-UK bilateral relations and security cooperation where the United Kingdom remains a reliable partner. Pelss and Shannon agreed that during Brexit, Latvia and the UK have been cooperating successfully, making sure the Latvian diaspora in the UK and British citizens in Latvia are kept abreast of any changes taking effect.

The officials also noted that this year is of special significance in the relations between the two countries as it marks the centenary of diplomatic relations between Latvia and the United Kingdom.

Shannon took office as British Ambassador to Latvia on June 6, 2017.