Work should be continued to hold Russia and its representatives accountable for crimes of aggression and war - Rinkevics

RIGA - Active efforts should continue to ensure accountability of Russia and its representatives for the crimes of aggression and war, Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics stressed.

According to LETA, Rinkevics met with the President of Northern Macedonia Stevo Pendarovski on Tuesday to discuss bilateral relations between the two countries, defense and economic cooperation, support for Ukraine, as well as the integration of Northern Macedonia into the European Union (EU). The meeting took place on the margins of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

The Latvian president stressed the need to continue to support Ukraine by providing it with all necessary military support, as well as by facilitating the implementation of reforms and Euro-integration.

Rinkevics expressed satisfaction with the good and friendly bilateral relations between Latvia and Northern Macedonia, as well as with Northern Macedonia's contribution to strengthening Latvia's security.

"I am pleased with the active political dialogue and close cooperation between Latvia and Northern Macedonia bilaterally and in international organizations. I believe that airBaltic's decision to launch direct flights from Riga to Skopje in May this year will enhance political and economic cooperation," Rinkevics said.

The president stressed the importance of Euro-integration, welcomed the progress made by Northern Macedonia in the implementation of reforms, as well as its full accession to the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy, including with regard to sanctions against Russia.

In Rinkevics' view, the enlargement process should be criteria-based and North Macedonia, like any other country, should be able to start enlargement negotiations once the established criteria are met. The president also acknowledged that the Western Balkan countries face different challenges which need to be overcome together.

As reported, Latvian President Rinkevics is attending the World Economic Forum from Monday to Thursday.