Russia and Latvia line up further dates

RIGA - Latvia and Russia are making preparations for a meeting between their respective prime ministers, while Latvian Parliamentary Speaker Janis Straume will visit Moscow in April, it was announced Feb. 16. Exact dates have not yet been set.

Arnis Lapins, spokesman for Latvian Prime Minister Andris Berzins, said that an invitation to the Russian PM to visit Latvia had been expressed only verbally. A written invitation is planned to be handed to Russian government official Alexander Blokhin during his meeting with Latvian co-chairman of the Latvian and Russian intergovernmental committee, Anatolijs Gorbunovs, planned for late March.

"The intention is for both parties to have time to prepare for the talks, so they are not rushed," said Lapins.

Straume's visit to Moscow will be timed to coincide with the 95th anniversary of Russia's lower house of parliament, the State Duma. Latvian-Russian intergovernmental commission co-chairmen Gorbunovs and Blokhin will meet in Moscow on March 27 and 28.

Several bilateral agreements are being prepared for signing at this meeting. Russia mentioned four agreements dealing with humanitarian issues such as the protection of monuments and burial sites, mutual recognition of diplomas, social security and culture, and information centers, while Latvia hopes to sign three agreements on economic issues.

Meanwhile, the new Russian ambassador to Latvia, Igor Studennikov, will visit Latvia from March 15 to 19 to present his credentials. Studennikov, a career diplomat who has served in several African countries, is reported to be doing his homework and studying the situation in Latvia.