US congressmen want to strengthen US-Latvia economic ties

The delegation of US congressmen during the meeting with Foreign Ministry's state secretary Andrejs Pildegovics expressed a wish to deepen and intensify Latvia-US economic relations and find new co-operation opportunities.

At the meeting Pildegovics emphasised the strategic union between the nations on a bilateral level and within NATO. Pildegovics also voiced gratitude for the presence of the US military forces in the Baltic countries, as well as appreciation for the loyalty of the allies when making historically significant decisions during the NATO Warsaw summit, boosting the alliance's presence in the Baltic countries and Poland.

The congressmen verified that the US is committed to Article 5 of the NATO Treaty. Additionally, they praised Latvia's resolution to raise its defense expenditure.

During the meeting the parties discussed the encouraging US-Latvia co-operation in joint co-operation projects and sharing Latvia's experience with the Eastern Partnership and Central Asian nations.

The parties stressed the importance of fortifying Latvia-US economic ties and seeking new co-operation opportunities. Energy security and diversification of energy supplies were identified as areas where co-operation should be boosted.

During the visit the delegation is expected to meet with the representatives of the Latvian parliament, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defense, and visit Adazi Military Base.

As reported, US Congressional delegation from the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations headed by Representative Kay Granger is visiting Latvia between Aug. 15 and 16. The delegation also includes Representative Steve Womack. This visit is part of a larger trip, which will also include stops in Germany and Kuwait.

US Representative Kay Granger represents the 12th Congressional District of Texas. She presently serves at the Committee of Appropriations where she heads the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programmes, and is the Vice-Chairwoman at the Subcommittee on Defense. She is also a member of the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development. She is also a senior member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Representative Granger has served in Congress since 1997.

Congressman Steve Womack has represented Arkansas’s Third Congressional District since 2011 and serves on the House Appropriations Defense, Financial Services and General Government, and Labor-Health and Human Services subcommittees and the House Committee on the Budget.