Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 19 July (BelTA) – During negotiations with Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkevics on 19 July Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei stated he was pleased with the level of the political dialogue between the two countries, BelTA has learned.

Vladimir Makei said: “I am genuinely pleased with the level of the political dialogue in Belarus-Latvia relations, with the vigorousness of contacts between the ministries of foreign affairs, with regular meetings at various levels. I believe that the state of affairs enables good conditions for us to better understand each other.”

Vladimir Makei mentioned the readiness of the Belarusian side to discuss the entire spectrum of matters of bilateral and multilateral nature. “We truly have something to talk about. I am talking about relations with the European Union and our bilateral trade and economic cooperation, which is very important,” he stressed.

In turn, Edgars Rinkevics stated that Belarus and Latvia had established a constructive dialogue on all matters. “Latvia-Belarus relations advance in a positive manner. If we look at our economic relations, they are starting to grow again after a slight decline,” he said. There is also positive dynamics in Belarus’ cooperation with the European Union, he added.

Edgars Rinkevics drew attention to Belarus-Latvia cooperation in security affairs. Tight cooperation between the Belarusian and Latvian defense ministries can be an example for other countries to follow, he believes.