U.S. and Latvia discuss bilateral cooperation

RIGA- On August 12, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with the Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, Philip H. Gordon with the aim of discussing bilateral relations between Latvia and the U.S., military and civil co-operation within the international operation in Afghanistan, the involvement of the Baltic states in drafting the NATO Strategic Concept and further development of the process, as well as the European Union's Eastern Partnership Initiative and co-operation with countries - Europe's eastern neighbours. The representatives of Latviaand the U.S. also exchanged opinions on the energy policy and relations with the Russian Federation.

 Both parties shared the opinion that the U.S. policy towards the Baltic states remains unchanged and takes forward the existing strategic partnership and an active political dialogue.

 "This is the first visit by a high level representative from the U.S. Department of State since the new U.S. Administration has assumed office, which provides yet another proof of the wish by the U.S. to continue and strengthen the co-operation with Latvia," Foreign Minister Riekstins noted.

Riekstins confirmed his readiness for an active co-operation with the newly appointed U.S. Ambassador Judith Garber who is due to arrive in Latvia late August, and take up her post.

 During the discussion Mr Riekstins and Mr Gordon highlighted the fields, where transatlantic cooperation is particularly important, including the development process of the new NATO Strategic Concept and Eastern Partnership of the European Union. Concerning NATO, Maris Riekstins pointed out that discussions on the strategic concept will consolidate the partners' views on the most important security policy issues and will strengthen relations with the alliance partners, including the Russian Federation. In the context of the Eastern Partnership, Philip Gordon stressed that the USAis a serious partner to the European Union for facilitating the process of democratic reforms in Europe's eastern neighbouring countries.

 The Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins previously met with Philip Gordon during his working visits in the USA on 14 July 2009 and on 10 October 2008, when Philip Gordon participated in organizing the presidential elections campaign of the new president of the USA Barack Obama.