Minister of Foreign Affairs Sandra Kalniete meets with Chairman of Committee on International Affairs of the Council of Federation of Russian Federation Mikhail Margelov [16 Dec 2003]

On 16 December 2003 Latvia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sandra Kalniete met with Mr Mikhail Margelov, Chairman of the Committee on International Affairs of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation.

Beginning the conversation, Ms Kalniete stressed that relations with Russia are a significant component of Latvia's foreign policy. In response to Ms Kalniete's request to assess the results of the State Duma elections, Mr Margelov pointed out the decreasing role of the Communist party in the political life of Russia.

Discussing bilateral relations Ms Kalniete characterised the practical business cooperation as successful and constructive. The Minister observed that constructiveness in bilateral relations could be enhanced by revitalizing the work of the Latvian-Russian Intergovernmental Commission and by signing the accords that have already been prepared, including the border treaty and the agreements on avoidance of double taxation and tax evasion, cooperation in railway transportation, air traffic, and cooperation in tourism. She affirmed Latvia's willingness to facilitate the EU-Russian dialogue, for instance, on issues of cross-border cooperation; in this context, she noted the successful practical cooperation between the Latvian border districts and Russia's Pskov region. Mr Margelov stressed that Latvia's joining the EU would not diminish Latvian-Russian bilateral contacts.

Ms Kalniete pointed out that when Latvia becomes a full-fledged member of NATO, a range of issues that have been heretofore addressed in a bilateral framework, will be dealt with as part of the NATO-Russia dialogue. Among these issues are the combating of international terrorism, drug trafficking and trafficking in human beings; cooperation in rescue operations and surmounting disasters. Although personally Mr Margelov has been against the enlargement of NATO, he regards NATO as a serious ally in combating international terrorism and believes that NATO's transformation should be both extensive and qualitative. In response, Ms Kalniete recalled that the NATO Prague summit focused not only on the Alliance's enlargement, but also set new goals and objectives for the Alliance.

Both Ms Kalniete and Mr Margelov agreed on the necessity of reforms in such international organisations as the UN and the OSCE.

In conclusion, Latvia's Minister of Foreign Affairs urged Russia to engage in active cooperation, so that the Co-chairmen of the Latvian-Russian Intergovernmental Commission can meet as soon as possible.

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