NATO and EU membership focus of discussions

Vike-Freiberga visits Britain

RIGA - Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga defied tempestuous weather conditions to meet the queen, government ministers, business leaders and academics on a week long visit to the United Kingdom which ended Nov. 1.

In a speech at the London School of Economics Vike-Freiberga thanked Britain for its support in the development of Latvian security and spoke of Latvia's achievements since it regained independence from the Soviet Union. She also spoke of Latvia's desire to share its experience of the country's integration program with other countries, including Ukraine, which she visited this summer, and Georgia.

Latvia's foreign policy priorities - joining NATO and the European Union - were high on her agenda. Her engagements included meetings with Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, Defense Minister Geoff Hoon, and Sir Charles Guthrie, armed forces chief. The commitment to democracy and human rights she expressed in her speech was reflected when she received the Golden Plate award from the Academy of Achievement. Previous recipients have included former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and former Polish President Lech Walesa.

Vike-Freiberga's visit coincided with the release of findings by the social research company SKDS showing that she is no longer the most popular politician in Latvia. Instead Einars Repse, president of the Bank of Latvia topped the popularity rating.

While in Britain Vike-Freiberga was interviewed for the Hard Talk slot on BBC World TV. The program will be broadcast on Nov. 6.