NATO mission in Afghanistan successful says Norway and Latvia

RIGA- On September 9, Foreign Minister MarisRiekstins met with the upcoming Ambassador Extraordinary andPlenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Norway in Latvia, Jan Ole Grevstad,as part of the Ambassador's accreditation visit.

During the meeting, the parties notedpositively the co-operation to date between Latvia and Norway, both atthe governmental level and between local authorities. With regard tothe deepening of the co-operation, Minister Riekstins spoke about thepossibilities for the enhancement of business co-operation.

Mr Riekstins and Mr Grevstad discussedthe local political situation in both countries. The Ambassador-to-beinformed about the forthcoming parliamentary elections on 14 Septemberthis year.

While speakingabout the co-operation within NATO, Riekstins and Grevstadexpressed satisfaction about the Latvian-Norwegian co-operation inAfghanistan. Out of 168 staff of the national contingent of Latviadeployed in Afghanistan, 121 soldiers fulfill their military duties inthe Norwegian-led Provincial Reconstruction Team of Maymana, in theProvince of Faryab, North Afghanistan. The parties also discussed thepresidential and provincial elections in Afghanistan on 12 August thisyear. 

During the meeting, the partiesreviewed the topical issues of the European Union, including theinstitutional issues and the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty.