Latvia to host Japan-Baltic Cooperation Dialogue this year - Rinkevics

RIGA - Latvia will host the second Japan-Baltic Cooperation Dialogue this year, Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics (New Unity) said during a meeting with Japan’s new Ambassador to Latvia Yasuhiro Kawaguchi on Tuesday.

The Japanese ambassador has arrived in Latvia on the accreditation visit, LETA was told at the Foreign Ministry.

During the meeting, Rinkevics praised excellent political, economic, cultural and educational cooperation between Latvia and Japan. The minister also noted growing tourist exchange, which plays an important part in promoting cooperation between the two countries. The officials also agreed on the necessity to continue the exchange of high-level visits.

In the conversation with the Japanese ambassador, Rinkevics stressed the significance of regional cooperation. “In addition to deepening bilateral cooperation, it is also necessary to promote regional cooperation. Latvia will therefore organize the 2nd Japan-Baltic Cooperation Dialogue meeting this year,” the Latvian minister said.

In the context of the UK’s forthcoming withdrawal from the European Union, Rinkevics urged Japan to consider stepping up cooperation with the Baltic-Nordic region.