WORLD
LATVIAN FM TO GO ON OFFICIAL VISIT TO ESTONIA
Baku, March 10 (AZERTAC). Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins will go on an official visit to Estonia, according to LETA.
Here he will meet with senior state officials in order to discuss the enhancement of cooperation between the countries both in the bilateral and regional formats, LETA was informed by the Foreign Ministry`s press and information department.
Riekstins has been scheduled to meet with President of Estonia Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Speaker of the Estonian Parliament Ene Ergma, Prime Minister Andrus Ansip, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet, Head of the Foreign Affairs Commission Sven Mikser and with Head of the European Affairs Commission Marko Mihkelson.
During the meetings, the parties will discuss the current topics of bilateral cooperation, including stronger economic cooperation, given the fact that Estonia is Latvia`s second largest export partner, and ranks fifth in imports. The discussion is to deal with the economic situation in both neighboring countries, as well as the process of introducing the euro in Estonia.
The agenda for discussions also includes the subject of intensifying cooperation within the format of the Baltic States and the Nordic countries.
In relation to the current European Union agenda, the parties are expected to exchange viewpoints on the EU`s institutional issues, including the establishment and operation of the European External Action Service, as well as common interests of the countries regarding that service. Other points for discussion concern security and energy policy.
“This visit brings yet another excellent opportunity to discuss with senior Estonian officials in person issues of importance to both countries,” Riekstins pointed out. “Dynamic relations between our countries are demonstrated not only by sheer number of subjects to be discussed, but also by the implementation of joint projects: for instance, on the premises of the Embassy of Latvia in Cairo, our neighbors as well have opened their embassy in Egypt”.