On 27 November, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins together with Estonian and Lithuanian colleagues and parliament speakers of the Baltic states took part in the 15th Baltic Council Session in Vilnius, Lithuania.
During the meeting, Vygaudas UĊĦackas, Foreign Minister of Lithuania, the country presiding over the Baltic Council in 2009, introduced the Baltic parliamentarians and his colleagues to the work accomplished this year within trilateral co-operation, as well as wished success to Latvia when assuming presidency of this regional format.
In his address, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins outlined the main tasks and plans in each of the priority areas during Latvia's presidency in 2010 – economic stabilization and enhancing competitiveness, security policy, also in energy and environmental sectors, as well as the promotion of co-operation with the Nordic countries.
Minister Riekstins introduced the Baltic Council participants to Latvia's proposal in the field of regional co-operation for the coming year, also indicating that the position by the Baltic states needs to be co-ordinate in topical issues on the EU agenda, for instance, the development of the EU Financial Perspective for 2014-2020 and the representation of the Baltic states in the EU External Action Service. "It should be noted that up till now the Baltic states have not been sufficiently represented in the EU institutions, and therefore, geographical and regional balance, and an adequate representation of both old and new member states has to be implemented through joint efforts," the Latvian Foreign Minister emphasised.
Mr Riekstins also emphasised that the Baltic states should look into the possibilities for as effective as possible use of their financial and staff resources, considering the establishment of joint diplomatic representations in certain countries.
The Foreign Minister of Latvia also noted the close co-operation to date within various regional formats in the Baltic Sea Region as well as between the Baltic and Nordic countries. As an example of successful co-operation with other regions, Minister Riekstins mentioned regular Baltic-Benelux consultations and the co-operation between the Baltic and Visegrad countries, holding consultations on topical EU issues. With the aim of expanding political, economic and cultural contacts, Minister Riekstins invited his Baltic colleagues to look at other regions which acquire a growing significance in international politics, for instance, the Gulf Co-operation Countries.
A full text of the Foreign Minister's speech is available in Latvian at: http://www.mfa.gov.lv/lv/Jaunumi/Runas/2009/11-27/
The Baltic Council of Ministers was established in 1994 as and institution for co-operation between the governments of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. The Baltic Assembly, established in 1991, is an institution for co-ordinating activities and mutual exchange of consultation between the parliaments of the three Baltic states. The Baltic Assembly convenes its sessions on annual basis.
In 2010, having taken over duties from Lithuania, Latvia will hold the rotating chairmanship of the Baltic Council of Ministers and of the Baltic Assembly.
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