Highlights Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis meets with President of the European Court of Human Rights Treaty on Extradition comes into force between Latvia and the U.S. Latvia – a trustworthy support to Azerbaijan in its co-operation with the European Union
In brief Meeting in Helsinki of Baltic and Nordic state ambassadors to the Council of Europe
Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis meets with President of the European Court of Human Rights On 14 April, Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis of the Republic of Latvia met with Jean-Paul Costa, President of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), who was on his first visit to Latvia in order to meet with senior state officials and to present a lecture at the Riga Graduate School of Law. During their meeting, Messrs Dombrovskis and Costa discussed ECHR reform issues, including the promotion of efficiency, and touched upon applications submitted by the people of Latvia. Ineta Ziemele, a Judge of the ECHR, and Michael O'Boyle, Deputy Registrar of the ECHR, also participated in the meeting. During the meeting, J-P Costa acquainted his hosts about current issues at the ECHR and on co-operation with Latvia. "Currently there are 900 cases pending submitted by the people of Latvia, which is a rather large proportion in comparison to the total population," indicated J-P Costa. In his opinion, it is important to improve the level of knowledge of the people in Latvia about the European Charter of Human Rights, as well as to promote solutions at the national level on structural causes of the violation of rights. ECHR Judge Ineta Ziemele requested the Government to create an open discussion on ways of promoting local solutions and on reducing the number of applications to the ECHR. With regard to ECHR reform, J-P Costa indicated that a complete ratification of the reform protocol should be achieved in the nearest future, as presently the position of only one large country is prevents this eventuality. Prime Minister Dombrovskis stressed that a dialogue with the ECHR is of the great importance to Latvia, and that Latvia is interested in developing a bilateral co-operation. With regard to ECHR reform, the Prime Minister expressed the following position: "Latvia is interested in a more rapid process, in order to achieve an earlier consideration of matters and to avoid the possible scenario where there are more than one hundred thousand cases pending." Both parties also discussed the situation in relation to applications from the people of Latvia and from other countries, and which, by nature, are related to the financial crisis management measures of their governments. The Prime Minister also requested the representatives of the ECHR to pay greater attention to the historic situation of Latvia in several ECHT processes. The Cabinet of Ministers, 14 April 2009
Treaty on Extradition comes into force between Latvia and the U.S. On 15 April, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins and the Charge d'Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Latvia, Bruce Rogers, signed a protocol to exchange ratification instruments regarding the Treaty on Extradition between the Republic of Latvia and the United States of America. With the formal signing of the protocol, the series of internal procedures that had progressively been carried out have now been concluded so that the 7 December 2005 Treaty on Extradition between Latvia and the U.S. can come into force. The treaty envisages a clearer sequence of events in the extradition of persons in the event that they have committed an offence under the laws of either country. The new treaty also clearly defines conditions, which may not be used as a reason for declining any extradition, for example, a person's citizenship is not a sufficient defence against extradition. The treaty defines also those conditions under which a country may decline a request for extradition. It identifies clearly those crimes for which extradition is allowed. After the signing of the Treaty, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins noted that this is a significant step in the strengthening of relations between Latvia and the United States. The Minister emphasised that the new treaty prescribes the levels of co-operation between both states in matters that have developed over recent years, for example, cyber crime. With the coming into force of this new Treaty on Extradition between the Republic of Latvia and the United States of America, the earlier treaties on extradition of 16 October 1923 and the additional treaty of 10 October 1934 lose their validity. The Treaty on Extradition between Latvia and the U.S. has been signed, on the basis of the 2003 Treaty on Extradition between the European Union and the United States of America. Following the Treaty ratification instrument exchange ceremony, the Charge d'Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Latvia, Bruce Rogers, delivered a Note to the Latvian side, in confirmation that the U.S. has completed all necessary internal procedures so that the protocol signed on 7 December 2005 on mutual legal assistance in criminal cases may come into force. The Saeima of the Republic of Latvia ratified this protocol on 8 June 2006. The above-mentioned protocol shall come into force on the same date that the mutual legal assistance agreement between the European Union and the United States of America shall come into force. MFA, 15 April 2009 Latvia – a trustworthy support to Azerbaijan in its co-operation with the European Union On 16 April, in commencing his official visit to Azerbaijan, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and with Minister for Foreign Affairs Elmar Mammadyarov. During their meeting the major attention focused on bilateral economic and political dialogue, on co-operation between the EU and Azerbaijan - including within the framework of the new Eastern Partnership, as well as on issues concerning energy and on the strengthening of regional security. In the meeting with President Ilham Aliyev, both sides expressed satisfaction at the successful evolution of political dialogue at the most senior level. President Aliyev expressed the hope that he will be able to host Latvia's President Valdis Zatlers on his planned visit to Baku during the second half of this year. Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins noted the significance of political support, including at presidential level, for the facilitation of co-operation between businessmen. The Minister also expressed his hope that today's visit and the business forum planned for tomorrow will provide an additional impulse and new contacts for businessmen. In discussions regarding the Eastern Partnership initiative, both sides emphasised the individual significance of their relationship to each of the Eastern Partnership member states. Minister Riekstins identified those areas in which Latvia would be prepared to realise co-operative projects with Azerbaijan, including energy security, transport, logistics and the information technology sector. The Minister also emphasised the necessity, within an EU framework, to jointly resolve issues with regard to the movement of people and on the easing of visa restrictions. "Co-operation between Latvia and Azerbaijan has the advantage of a mutual understanding on traditions as well as of the fact that there is no language barrier thus allowing for great prospects in the passing on of our experience and in mutual contacts", noted Maris Riekstins Senior Azerbaijani government officials emphasised that they view Latvia as a source of support in regard to the resolution of several issues with the European Union and expressed their appreciation of the investment in co-operation to date with the Eastern Partners. The Foreign Ministers of both Latvia and Azerbaijan unanimously expressed their support for the co-operation between parliaments of both states, taking advantage of the Latvian and Azerbaijani parliamentary co-operation groups. The Ministers noted the co-operation in Education, including studies by students from Azerbaijan at the Baltic Defence College. They agreed on the possibilities for secondment between Foreign Service diplomats of both countries. During these discussions, attention was focussed on issues of regional security and on the frozen conflicts, especially in regard to Nagorno-Karabakh. MFA, 16 April 2009
Meeting in Helsinki of Baltic and Nordic state ambassadors to the Council of Europe From 16 – 18 April, the annual gathering of Baltic and Nordic state ambassadors (NB8) to the Council of Europe is to take place in Helsinki, with representations from Denmark, Estonia, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden, and Finland. Latvia will be represented at this meeting by the Ambassador to the Council of Europe, Mr Peteris Karlis Elferts, and by Foreign Ministry of Latvia International Organisations and Humanitarian Questions Department Director, Ms Aiga Liepina. The agenda consists of issues to be discussed by representatives of the Ministers of the Council of Europe: The Russia – Georgia conflict; the elections for the next Secretary-General of the Council of Europe; the planned meeting of the Council of Europe in Madrid, which will be dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the Council; the forthcoming Swedish presidency of the European Union; and the European Development Bank meeting scheduled for Vilnius this next June. Embassy of Latvia to Finland, 16 April 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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