Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 19 July (BelTA) – Belarus and Latvia are mutually interested in the advancement of mutually beneficial cooperation. Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei made the statement after negotiations with Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkevics on 19 July, BelTA has learned.

Vladimir Makei said that Belarusian-Latvian relations are characterized by the mutual interest in the advancement of mutually beneficial cooperation in a large number of areas. “We’ve spoken about all these topics in detail today,” said Vladimir Makei. “We are intent on maintaining businesslike contacts in the spirit of good neighborly relations. We are intent on the comprehensive development of economic, scientific, technical, and humanitarian cooperation, interregional and transboundary cooperation, cooperation in the sphere of culture, tourism, and sport.”

During the consultations the sides discussed the state and prospects of Belarusian-Latvian relations in detail, interaction within the framework of international organizations, and cooperation between Belarus and the European Union. “No topical subject, which is of interest for us, which is related to the matters of security in the region and on the continent, was neglected,” stated the minister. “I’d like to note with satisfaction that we have no differences of opinion about an overwhelming majority of questions on the bilateral agenda.”

Vladimir Makei pointed out that there is a potential and a mutual interest of Belarusian and Latvian private companies in projects in the sphere of woodworking, food production, pharmaceutics, logistics, information, and communication technologies, tourism, and civil engineering. “Suffice it to say that in Belarus there are over 900 companies with a share of Latvian capital. As a recent example I’d like to mention the opening of the representative office of the Latvian company Atea Global Services in Minsk. The company has already filed an application for registration in the Hi-Tech Park,” noted Vladimir Makei.

Vladimir Makei said that since Belarus and Latvia will host the ice hockey world championship in 2021, the two countries should start working to create joint tourism products and routes, improve the automobile infrastructure and the motorway service. It will allow using the tourism potential of the two countries as effectively as possible.