Baltic foreign ministers to meet in Riga [11 Mar 2005]

On 12 March 2005, a meeting of the Baltic foreign ministers is taking place in Riga. Latvian minister Artis Pabriks, Lithuanian minister Antanas Valionis and Estonian minister Rein Lang, who is coming to this meeting for the first time since his appointment, will discuss future prospects for cooperation.

The ministers will also address current issues related to Russia, including practical matters such as the possibilities to sign interstate agreements, as well as the assessment of history and the further coordination of activities towards explaining the history to the international public. The ministers also plan to exchange opinions on the current developments within the European Union.

Estonian and Lithuanian foreign ministers have arrived in Riga to open the 2^nd basketball tournament, in which four foreign ministries - Baltic and Finnish - are participating. Last year the tournament took place in Tallinn.

Information for the media:

• 11.30 a.m. - opening of the 2^nd basketball tournament of Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian and Finnish foreign ministries. Following the official opening - competition in foul shots. Venue: sports complex Keizarmezs, (30 Ezermalas Street). Photo and video opportunities.
• 14.30 p.m. - joint press conference of the Baltic foreign ministers

Venue: Ridzene Hotel (1 Reimersa Street).

Media representatives are asked to register at the Ministry's Press Centre by 5.00 p.m. today, 11 March.

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