Trump's first 100 days in office should be judged by US citizens - Rinkevics

RIGA - US President Donald Trump's first 100 days in office should be judged by US citizens, President Edgars Rinkevics told members of the press on Wednesday.

He pointed out that other heads of state usually do not comment on such issues, so the President declined to comment further. The President stressed that Latvia works together with the United States regardless of who works in the White House or in the US Congress.

"We have specific issues on security, economic issues, which we are addressing with the new administration to the extent that is necessary. We will continue to cooperate on all priority issues that are important to us," the President said.

Prime Minister Evika Silina (New Unity) stressed that issues related to Ukraine are important for Latvia. She mentioned that Latvia participates in the Coalition of the Willing led by France and the United Kingdom. Although it is a relatively recent development, the Prime Minister believes that it is a good indicator that Europe is capable of finding new solutions to not so simple tasks.

She also pointed out that the change in the US position on many issues also had some merit. This is why decisions have been taken in Europe on the ReArm Europe plan. This means that Europe will strengthen itself, will look for solutions to strengthen its security.

"There have been many changes in Europe, but I would not like to say that this is directly linked to the actions of the US President. It definitely shows that we are working closely together, we are coordinating issues," Silina said.

The Prime Minister stressed that the US is a strategic partner of Latvia. Latvia has always valued diplomatic relations between the two countries. Silina concluded that diplomacy and politics are not always simple and not always understandable. In her view, what is important is that the two countries continue to cooperate, despite the fact that sometimes the temperature seems "hotter or colder".