Latvia invited to forge stronger ties

  • 2012-05-30
  • From wire reports

VILNIUS - Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Azubalis was on an official visit to Riga on May 29, where he held meetings with Latvia’s highest-ranking officials and highlighted the importance of the country’s support for regional energy and transport infrastructure projects, reports ELTA. He called for active development of a joint information space for the two countries in culture and education, and promotion of cross-border cooperation.

Our cooperation for the development of strategic projects, solidarity at multilateral forums and economic ties are excellent. As we are so close and also the only Baltic nations in the world, we should develop much more intensive cultural cooperation, youth exchange, launch a joint information space, and, finally, form a deep emotional bond,” the minister said.
He discussed bilateral relations with President of Latvia Andris Berzins, Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis, Speaker of the Saeima (Parliament) Solvita Aboltina, Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkevcs and Minister of Economy Daniels Pavluts.

Azubalis stressed that the recommendations aimed at strengthening cooperation in various fields, which were recently drafted by Lithuanian and Latvian diplomats, had to help further consolidate versatile relationship of the countries. Azubalis named as priorities the launch of a joint information space of the two countries for culture and education, and cross-border cooperation.

The minister invited leaders of Latvia to support measures of implementation of these recommendations. They provide for an exchange of TV and radio broadcasts, promote Latvian language teaching at Lithuanian schools and Lithuanian language teaching at Latvian educational institutions, organization of the Baltic Unity Day celebrations, inviting the presidents of both countries to participate in the celebration. The meetings also discussed current issues on the EU agenda, and Lithuania’s experience when preparing for the EU Presidency. Participants agreed to continue consultations on effective diplomatic representation in third countries when employing diplomats at representations abroad.

During his visit, Azubalis saw the Museum of Occupation of Latvia and donated books about the struggle of the Lithuanian resistance against the Soviet invaders.