Highlights President of Latvia: Europe must be proud of successes, address mistakes President meets Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki of the FYR Macedonia Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins reiterates support for the Euro-Atlantic integration of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia At Adriatic, Baltic and Atlantic meeting in Riga foreign ministers confirm support for NATO open door policy President of Latvia meets Foreign Minister of the Republic of Croatia Speaker of the Saeima Gundars Daudze meets with Croatian Foreign Minister Latvian and Croatian Foreign Ministers agree that unresolved bilateral issues should not hinder EU integration In brief President of Latvia accredits new Latvian Ambassador to Kosovo, Bosnia & Herzegovina President of the European Parliament remembers Baltic deportations of 1949 Approximately 43,000 inhabitants of Latvia deported in 1949
President of Latvia: Europe must be proud of successes, address mistakes Appearing at a forum in Brussels organised by the German Marshall Fund of the United States on 21 March, President Valdis Zatlers took part in an evening-session panel discussion on "Europe 20 Years After the Fall of the Iron Curtain." Members of the panel shared their opinions about the events in Europe in 1989, the reasons for the collapse of the Iron Curtain, the issue of whether from today's perspective it can be said that there were any alternatives to the enlargement of NATO and the European Union, and on the way in which relations with Russia have since been developed by Western countries and by Russia's neighbours. Recalling the work of the Latvian People's Front, President Zatlers stressed that the main goal for Latvians was to achieve national independence in a peaceful and legal way, thus ensuring the trust of the global community. NATO membership was important not just as a security guarantee, said the President - it was a process, which entirely made sense in terms of returning to Europe and joining the world's most effective security organisation. In describing Europe's relationship with Russia President Zatlers noted that there is still a "curtain of values" between the people of Latvia and the people of Russia - something that is exacerbated by the very different information spaces in which the two nations live. This, said the President, is reflected in the different views which Latvians and Russians have about democracy. At the conclusion of the discussion, President Zatlers noted that it is important to focus on more than just success stories, among which Latvia's return to Europe may be listed. There is also a need to review and address the mistakes that have been made over the last 20 years. The President particularly pointed to Europe's inability to ensure stability in the Balkans and to the need now to ensure that the countries in that region can become integrated into Europe's political and security structures. The panel discussion was chaired by Anne Applebaum, and other participants included Swedish Foreign Minister Karl Bildt, German Interior Minister Wolfgang Schäuble, and US Senator George Voinovich. While in Brussels, President Zatlers also took part in a discussion on the evaluation of the crimes of totalitarian regimes. That discussion was organised by Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius. President's Chancery, 21 March 2009 Brussels Forum 2009 President meets Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki of the FYR Macedonia Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia met with President Valdis Zatlers at Riga Castle. The President welcomed the minister to Riga, expressed his satisfaction at the successful relationship which exists between the two countries, and remarked that Latvia is monitoring developments in the Western Balkans region, which has an important role to perform in the preservation of peace and stability in Europe. The President confirmed once again that Latvia is prepared to continue to share its experience of Euro-integration. The two officials also discussed the economic relationship between Latvia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, considering ways in which trade relations can be expanded and developed. They agreed that particularly promising trade sectors include food production, wood processing and pharmaceuticals. In discussing security policies and NATO-related issues, President Zatlers expressed the hope that FYR Macedonia and Greece will soon come to an agreement on the country's name - the only issue that remains as an obstacle against Macedonia's integration into NATO. President's Chancery, 23 March 2009 Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins reiterates support for the Euro-Atlantic integration of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia On 23 March, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with the Foreign Minister of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Antonio Milososki, who is in Latvia on an official visit, and also to take part in the Adriatic-Baltic-Atlantic meeting in Riga on 23-24 March. During the meeting the foreign ministers discussed bilateral co-operation issues and also exchanged views on current international political events, including topical issues on the EU and NATO agendas. In the course of their conversation Minister Riekstins and Minister Milososki discussed the Euro-Atlantic integration aspirations of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). Mr Riekstins repeatedly underlined Latvia's support for this Euro-Atlantic integration, at the same time emphasising that Latvia is ready to share its experience of reform. The Minister also drew attention to the "open door policy" principle as regards the EU and NATO, pointing out that countries which choose to join these organisations and which have successfully implemented reforms must be given the opportunity to join. Reviewing the so-called "name issue", the two ministers stressed that it is not acceptable that bilateral issues should be used to block international negotiations. Minister Riekstins called on both parties to engage in constructive co-operation and to seek a compromise solution. At the meeting the officials also discussed the presidential and local government elections in FYROM, which took place on 22 March. Mr Riekstins acknowledged that the OSCE / ODIHR assessment of the conduct of the elections is crucial for the commencement of talks regarding the accession of FYROM to the EU. Initial election results and the reports from international observers indicate that the elections took place in keeping with democratic principles and in a peaceful manner. Minister Riekstins also urged Minister Milososki to consider the appointment of an Honorary Consul in Latvia, as this would strengthen co-operation between the states in a number of areas, including the economic sphere. An Honorary Consulate of Latvia has been in operation in FYROM since 2008, when it was opened by Minister Riekstins during an official visit. Another topic of discussion was the international operations of both states, particularly in Afghanistan, where both Latvia and FYROM participation in the military contingent, in proportion to the number of inhabitants in these states, is ranked amongst the top ten ISAF (International Security Assistance Forces) countries. MFA, 23 March 2009 At Adriatic, Baltic and Atlantic meeting in Riga foreign ministers confirm support for NATO open door policy At the Adriatic-Baltic-Atlantic meeting on 24 March convened at the initiative of Latvia's Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins, foreign ministers and their respective ministry representatives discussed the agenda for the forthcoming Strasbourg / Kehl NATO summit, and issued a joint press statement which emphasises the great importance of the Adriatic-Baltic-Atlantic dialogue with regard to the transfer of experience of reforms and integration. The foreign ministers and their respective ministry representatives repeatedly accentuated the achievements of both Croatia and Albania on their path towards NATO, emphasising the expectation of full participation by these states at the forthcoming Strasbourg / Kehl NATO 60th anniversary Summit with the status of member states. At the same time, the meeting congratulated Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro on this their first Adriatic-Baltic-Atlantic meeting, following the accession of these states to the Adriatic Charter in Helsinki at the end of 2008. "The main goal of the Baltic state, Adriatic state and U.S. dialogue format is to promote Western Balkan - Euro-Atlantic integration, and, at the same time, to repeatedly emphasise our participation in the advancement of regional security and the NATO open door policy. The 24 March meeting is also of symbolic importance, as it takes place on the eve of NATO's 60th anniversary and at a time when the Baltic states are celebrating 5 years of NATO membership" noted Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins. In relation to this doubly important occasion, the meeting of foreign ministers confirmed support for the Western Balkan states and their moves towards European integration, as also emphasised the role of the Alliance in guaranteeing international security. During their discussions the participants exchanged views on the NATO operation in Afghanistan, emphasising the role of the Adriatic states and their contribution to stabilisation of the situation. Minister Riekstins noted that the contribution of the Adriatic states to the NATO operation in Afghanistan is evidence of the desire of these states to integrate into Euro-Atlantic structures, at the same time emphasising the necessity to continue the reforms process so as to achieve the required criteria for membership. Meeting participants also debated issues of regional and international security policy, and were of one mind that at this time, when the whole world is facing economic challenges, one must not lose focus on the issues that are related to regional security and stability in Europe. It should be stressed that this Adriatic-Baltic-Atlantic meeting in Riga is the reflection of a successfully commenced and continually developing dialogue, providing a framework for the exchange of experience in Euro-Atlantic integration, as well the facilitation of regional co-operation. The 24 March meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Lulzim Basha of the Republic of Albania, Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Foreign Minister Sven Alkalaj of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Foreign and European Integration Minister Gordan Jandrokovic of Croatia, Estonia's Foreign Minister Urmas Paet, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Vygaudas Usackas, Political Director Vesko Garcevic of Montenegro, as well as U.S. Assistant Secretary of State in Western Balkans issues, Stuart Jones. The first Adriatic-Baltic-Atlantic meeting took place in 2006 at the initiative of Croatia. The 2007 meeting took place in Estonia but at the end of the year it took place in Croatia. Press conference, audio file 10.7 MB in english MFA, 24 March 2009 President of Latvia meets Foreign Minister of the Republic of Croatia The foreign minister of the Republic of Croatia, Gordan Jandroković, met with the President Valdis Zatlers on 25 March as part of the minister's official visit to Latvia. The President expressed satisfaction about the active, friendly and multifaceted partnership which the two countries have, and he congratulated the minister on steps which Croatia has taken to become a full member of the NATO alliance at its 60th anniversary summit in Strasbourg / Kehl. Minister Jandroković, for his part, thanked the President for Latvia's support as his country has moved toward European and transatlantic institutions. Latvia was the second country to ratify Croatia's membership in NATO. During their meeting, the President and the minister discussed the economic situation in both countries, particularly focusing on future trade and economic relations between Latvia and Croatia, as well as ways of making those relations more active. President Zatlers confirmed Latvia's interest in continuing to expand and develop co-operation between the two countries, citing tourism as an area that might be of particular interest. Addressing international relations, the two officials discussed Croatia's integration with the European Union, and also exchanged opinions about the political situation in the Balkans, not least in terms of peace and stability in the region. President Zatlers remarked that of great importance in this regard is the ability of Europe to come up with a clear sense of what must be done. He confirmed that Latvia fully supports Croatia on its road toward EU membership, adding that Latvia is also prepared to share its experience in the area of Euro-integration. During his visit, Mr Jandroković also visited the Latvian Occupation Museum. He told President Zatlers that he deeply understands the sufferings of the Latvian people, adding that the return of our country to Europe is truly a success story. President's Chancery, 25 March 2009
Speaker of the Saeima Gundars Daudze meets with the Croatian Foreign Minister Latvia has consistently supported Croatia on its path to NATO and the European Union, the Speaker of the Latvian Saeima Gundars Daudze reiterated at his meeting with the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Croatia, Gordan Jandrokovic, on 25 March. The Speaker of the Saeima expressed satisfaction about the imminent accession to NATO by Croatia, which is expected to take place in early April at the summit dedicated to the 60th anniversary of NATO. Mr Daudze also expressed the hope that Croatia's accession talks with the EU would be equally successful and that by the end of this year the remaining round of negotiations will have been completed. Foreign Minister Jandrokovic thanked Latvia for its support for the membership of Croatia in NATO and mentioned with appreciation that fact that the Saeima of Latvia was one of the first to ratify the protocol for Croatia's accession to the Alliance. Membership of NATO is a great achievement for both the politicians and the nation of Croatia, emphasised the Foreign Minister. In the discussions on parliamentary co-operation between the two states, the Latvian Speaker indicated that the visit to Latvia last year by the Chairman of Parliament of Croatia was of great significance in the fostering of parliamentary contacts. At the meeting both parties expressed hopes that economic relations between Latvia and Croatia would expand and grow. The Speaker of the Saeima mentioned the building of Latvian Shipping Company tankers in Croatia as an example of good economic co-operation, as well as the successful penetration of the Latvian market by the Croatian spice company Podravka. Mr Daudze suggested that the current economic crisis might well act as a stimulus to business people in both countries to seek new markets and co-operation partners. The Saeima, 25 March 2009 Latvian and Croatian Foreign Ministers agree that unresolved bilateral issues should not hinder EU integration On 25 March, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Croatia, Gordan Jandrokovic, who is in Latvia on an official visit following his participation in the Adriatic-Baltic-Atlantic meeting of foreign ministers. During their meeting the ministers discussed bilateral relations issues and exchanged opinions on various international political questions, including EU and NATO expansion and the situation in the Western Balkans. In the discussion on bilateral relations, Minister Riekstins noted the framework for political dialogue, including active high-level exchange visits over the past year. In February 2008 the Latvian foreign minister made an official visit to Croatia, in September President Zatlers was on a state visit to Croatia, and in the same month, the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Luka Bebic made an official visit to Latvia. Ministers Riekstins and Jandrokovic exchanged opinions on the strengthening of Latvia - Croatia economic co-operation, accenting those areas with economic potential and emphasising that in recent years Latvian tourists have rated Croatia highly as one of their preferred destinations. Within the framework of the discussion, Latvia's foreign minister suggested an even closer co-operation between embassies of both countries by organising business seminars and providing information to entrepreneurs on prospective spheres of activity in both Latvia and Croatia. Minister Riekstins congratulated his Croatian colleague on the forthcoming accession to NATO, and expressed his pleasure that as soon as next week Croatia will be participating in the Strasbourg / Kehl NATO summit as a full member state. In the course of their meeting the foreign ministers debated aspects of Croatia's integration with the EU. Croatia thanked Latvia for its support towards Croatia's joining the EU, and noted the value of the consultative meetings between Latvian and Croatian experts that helped facilitate the completion of formalities. Minister Riekstins expressed his strong support for the accession of Croatia into the EU following the successful talks, and further noted Latvia's willingness to continue to share the benefits of its experience of EU integration matters. The ministers were agreed on the principle that unresolved bilateral issues should not be a hurdle to candidate state integration with NATO or the European Union. The Croatian foreign minister informed his colleague about the Croatia-Slovenia sea border issue which has become an obstacle to Croatia's EU integration, and pointed to the present direction in the discussions, which are being mediated by the EU Commissioner for Expansion, Olli Rehn. "If both parties share the political will, then the solution to this problem will come about at bilateral level and also through the international court. Latvia supports either resolution which will lead to a positive outcome," stated Minister Riekstins. For his part, the Minister Jandrokovic expressed a determination to continue the dialogue with Slovenia, also with European Commission mediation, and also for Croatia's readiness to resolve this issue through the international court. The official visit to Latvia by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Croatia, Gordan Jandrokovic, includes scheduled meetings with state President Valdis Zatlers and Speaker of the Saeima Gundars Daudze. MFA, 25 March 2009
President of Latvia Accredits New Latvian Ambassador to Kosovo, Bosnia & Herzegovina On Monday 23 March, President Valdis Zatlers issued Letters of Credence to Juris Poikans, who is to become Latvia's new non-resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Kosovo, as well as to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Ambassador Poikans is already the resident ambassador in Slovenia. After wishing the ambassador success in his work, President Zatlers spoke with him about how Latvia can continue to develop relations and co-operation with the Balkan countries. The President confirmed that Latvia supports the integration of the Balkan states into the structures of the European Union, adding that the region is of strategic importance in ensuring sustainable peace, security and stability in Europe. President Zatlers also remarked that Latvia has made its own contributions toward the maintenance of peace and stability in the region by taking part in peacekeeping missions in Kosovo, as well as in Bosnia and Herzegovina. President's Chancery, 23 March 2009
President of the European Parliament remembers Baltic deportations of 1949 At the opening of the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 23 March, the President of the European Parliament Hans Gert Pottering invited those present to remember the deportations of some 100 thousand Baltic people to Siberia by the Soviet regime in March 1949. "This week we commemorate the 60th anniversary of the deportation of some 100 thousand Baltic state citizens. This enormous wave of Soviet deportation started during the night of 24 to 25 March, and resulted in tens of thousands of Estonians, Latvians and Lithuanians being forcefully removed from their homes, deprived of their civil and human rights and often losing their lives, in the harsh and inhumane conditions of the Soviet prison camps." "Nearly every family in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, as well as in other republics of the former Soviet Union has been touched by the cruel force of the totalitarian communist regime. In nearly every family there is someone who perished in Siberia, who was persecuted by the KGB or who was imprisoned and harassed by the totalitarian regime. This is not the distant and obscure past: it is still very much a living memory in many people's minds," emphasised the President of the European Parliament. "Therefore it is our moral obligation and fundamental duty as Europeans, in honouring the memory of those many victims, to confirm our strong and clear condemnation of those horrific crimes against humanity committed by the totalitarian communist regime in the Soviet Union. Moreover, these victims deserve nothing less than an objective, in-depth and thorough evaluation of the past, because there cannot be acceptance without truth and remembrance," he stated. BNS, 23 March 2009 EP marks 60th anniversary of deportation of Baltic citizens to Siberia, 23 March 2009 Approximately 43,000 inhabitants of Latvia deported in 1949 This year on 25 March, in commemoration of the victims of the Communist genocide in 1949, President Valdis Zatlers met at Riga Castle with the representatives of more than 90 organizations of those who were politically repressed, from all over Latvia. During the meeting President Zatlers commended all those and their family members who had suffered repressions for their national pride, on their endurance and their safeguarding of the historic memory of Latvia for future generations. He also wished them good health and a cheerful spirit. The afternoon events marking the Day of Victims of Communistic Terror continued with a ceremony at the Freedom Monument, where the President laid a wreath and addressed those who had gathered. In his address the President said: "Today the sun is shining and with pride we gaze upon our own Freedom Monument, reading the words "For Fatherland and Freedom", but 60 years ago there were unexpected guests knocking at your doors and the destiny of your families took a dramatic turn. [âÀ¦] People were deported away from their homes, a long way away to Siberia, and more than 10 thousand of those were children under the age of 16. And still today, each one of us asks: "Why? What for?" "At that time people were beginning to recover from the ravages of war. We had experienced the occupation of 1940, the bloodshed, the deportations of 1941, war. Why were we made to suffer and for what? Evidently it was not enough for the Stalinist regime to believe that the state of Latvia had been destroyed. The deportations did not succeed in achieving this, however. Thanks to you, who returned from Siberia, we were able to prove to this hostile regime that the state of Latvia can not be destroyed. For this, we must thank you all. And if there are those today, in Latvia or elsewhere, who still wish to re-write or condemn to oblivion this history, then we here, all of us, we are still here and we know - it will never be erased. It is in our hearts and in our memories. We inherit it from generation to generation, and right now it is vital that it is known not only to us, but also to the rest of the world. [âÀ¦]" On 25 March there was a screening of the film "The Soviet Story" (author and director Edvins Snore) and a formal presentation of the DVD at the Museum of Occupation. The new DVD will have the film with sub-titles in 15 languages, including Latvian, as well as footage of additional interviews with experts which was not included in the film. The film, which been acclaimed in a number of other countries, examines the famine in Ukraine and the mass murders in Katin, as well as the collaboration between the SS and the KGB, and the deportations. It contains unique documents and archive film footage, offering the viewpoints of a number of internationally recognised authorities in history and politics, and also living testimonies by Latvians, Ukrainians, Finnish and Russian people who suffered under the totalitarian Soviet regime. On 24 March an exhibition opened at the Occupation Museum about the deportations of 25 March 1949. Visitors to the exhibition will be able to view evidence of the time: documents, photographs and objects from the museum collection. The deportations, which took place between 25-30 March, 1949, were the most extensive of all the terror actions perpetrated against the Latvian people by the occupying Soviet power. Approximately 42,125 people were deported from Latvia to outlying regions of the then USSR. On a smaller scale the deportations continued until 1953. In total 44,271 people were deported. The majority of those deported were farmers. The aim of the action was to destroy individual farms in order to implement the collectivisation of agriculture. The Soviet power also hoped that, by deporting many rural inhabitants, popular support for national partisans would also be reduced. The greater number of those deported were Latvians (40,176), but there were also Russians (790), Poles (590), Belarusians (252), Lithuania (140), Estonians (92) and 85 of other nationalities. The deportees were mainly sent to the Amur, Omsk and Tomsk areas of Russia, where 5,231 died. After Stalin's death in 1953 the deportees were gradually released, with the majority being freed in 1956. President's Chancery, 25 March 2009 Museum of the Occupation of Latvia 1941- 1991 BNS, 25 March 2009
http://www.president.lv The newsletter "Latvia today: foreign policy news" is a compilation of press releases and news reports drawn from the media and official sources. The views published do not necessarily reflect the official position of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
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