Latvia is full-fledged part of Western democratic system – Rinkevics

RIGA – Latvia is a full-fledged part of the Western democratic system, said Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics (Unity) at the Saeima foreign policy debate today.

Hi said that divergent views still appear in the discussions on Latvia’s foreign policy goals and on the work to be done.

"There are those who consider Latvia to be an entryway or a bridge, or a place to stop on the road to Russia. And there are those who see Latvia as a full-fledged part of the Western system with its confidence – so characteristic of that system – based on the values of a democratic state governed by the rule of law. These are mutually exclusive approaches," said Rinkevics.

The minister said since the state of Latvia was established, the goal of Latvia’s foreign policy has remained unchanged – to safeguard the independence of the state. He said that in the future as well, the foreign policy of Latvia will remain based on a strong European Union and NATO, the strengthening of international justice and increasing people’s prosperity.

"What is the world of today and what will it be like tomorrow? It is, and will be full of surprises. We often face conflicting geopolitical choices. The status of Jerusalem, Iran’s nuclear deal or the Paris climate accord are prime examples," said Rinkevics.

"Although we would like to see international relations as a game of chess played by grand masters, those relations often remind one of the game, "Chutes and Ladders". Heated rhetoric, carelessness of players or unfortunate rolls of the dice can lead to an unplanned result – one would like to climb the ladder to the very top, while more often as not one is forced to slide down a "chute". A game like this can go too far," the minister said.

As reported, on Thursday, the Saeima holds its annual foreign policy debate. The first foreign policy debate by the Latvian parliament was held on January 27, 2011.