Latvian-Russian relations warming

  • 2007-07-26
  • By TBT staff and wire reports

JOINT APPROACH: Oskars Spurdzins won a Russian commitment to increase capacity at border posts (Picture courtesy Latvian Cabinet of Ministers)

RIGA - In stark contrast to the icy chill between Tallinn and Moscow, Latvian-Russian relations are on the up, with a succession of cross-border meetings taking place and more planned for the future.

July 20 Russian ambassador to Latvia Viktor Kalyuzny enjoyed a meeting with Latvian President Valdis Zatlers and confirmed that an invitation to visit had been issued by the Kremlin.

"Moscow is looking forward to the president's visit," the Russian diplomat told the press after the meeting, adding that he had only good things to say about Latvia"s new leader.

Kalnyuzny admitted though that the date of Zatlers' visit to Russia was still unconfirmed. "We would like the president to come to Russia as soon as possible," the ambassador said, adding that the visit would be desirable in the EU context as well.

Zatlers, meanwhile, told journalists that he was prepared to go to Moscow, provided certain conditions were met.

"We will start the preparations when it becomes clear what is going on with the Latvian-Russian border treaty, and we would also like to see what happens to those 20 various documents that are currently in a preparatory phase. I would like it to be not just an introductory visit but that it will also have a practical purpose," Zatlers said.

The intended visit of the Latvian president to Moscow has been on the agenda for nearly six months since both countries signed a border treaty in Moscow on March 27.

On the same day, Prime Minister Aigars Kalvītis held a meeting with the Co-Chairmen of the Latvia-Russia Business Council, stressing that economic cooperation between Latvia and Russia has strong potential and that the Latvia-Russia Business Council could be used as an instrument for negotiation between governments of both countries.

Kalvītis a further meeting of the Latvia-Russia Business Council slated for September.

Also July 20 ongoing problems with the Latvian-Russian border crossing were high on the agenda at the inaugural meeting of the Latvian-Russian intergovernmental commission in Riga.

Russian Transport Minister Igor Levitin and Latvian Finance Minister Oskars Spurdzins co-chaired the meeting, and a consensus position to tackle the acute congestion at the border emerged from the talks.

"Russia committed to boost the capacity of its border crossing posts, while Latvia pledged to improve infrastructure," Spurdzins said, adding that solving the problem would take both time and money.

"It is absolutely necessary to attract EU funding," Spurdzins said.

"No matter how many crossing posts were opened... it would not help," Levitin said. "Systematic work between the EU and third countries is what is needed," the Russian minister said, suggesting that the present situation could be eased by setting up an electronic declaration system that would enable registered truck drivers to be fast-tracked while others would be processed in the conventional manner.

"We are for the opening of new border crossing posts, but they must be equipped with advanced technologies," Levitin said.

"Considering the agreement on opening a new border crossing post Opuli-Moguly, both sides agree to organize expert consultations by October 2007," a statement released after the meeting said.

That will come as little consolation to the hundreds of Baltic and Russian truckers who are currently forced to wait in their cabs for several days. Their mood has become increasingly militant in recent weeks with impromptu protests staged on both sides of the border.

Other subjects under discussion included progress on an agreement on avoidance of double taxation and tax avoidance.

The parties also agreed to work on an international transportation axis linking Ventspils and Moscow via Riga.

However, by July 21, one official Latvian source was slightly less willing to share the blame for the long lines at the border. In an interview with the Latvijas Avize newspaper, Foreign Ministry deputy state secretary for EU affairs Normunds Popens said: "Speaking about our eastern border, there have been no complaints about how it has been equipped. As to its traffic capacity, negotiations are under way among Latvia, Russia and the European Commission. The queues appear when Russia steps up import of goods. Even if Latvia built a huge motorway, nothing would change if Russia does nothing for its part."

Popens is currently being considered to fill the post of Latvian ambassador to the EU, the job formerly filled by Eduards Stiprais, now President Valdos Zatlers' right-hand man.