|
On 23 January 2007, during his meeting with the Latvian Foreign Minister Artis Pabriks, the Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Carl Bildt, expressed his support for the signing of the Latvia-Russia border treaty under its current version proposed by the Government of Latvia. The Swedish Foreign Minister noted that Sweden recognizes Latvia with its actual borders and the proposal drafted by the Latvian government complies with the continuity of the statehood, which is not questionable.
Both Foreign Ministers considered the opportunity to establish in the future closer co-operation within the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy through the implementation of joint projects in such countries as Moldova and Georgia. The officials noted that closer co-operation is also possible through the implementation of other activities within the organization.
Minister Bildt emphasized that the Northern Europe, also owing to the Baltic states, is currently one of the most rapidly developing regions; however, all efforts must be made to continue the current development. As one of the solutions proposed by the Swedish Foreign Minister was the closer integration of the domestic markets. Taking into account the fact that Sweden holds at present the Presidency of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) and Latvia will take over the Presidency in the summer of this year, the Latvian and Swedish Foreign Ministers discussed prospective co-operation within the framework of the afore-mentioned regional organization and exchanged the opinions on the future of the Council of the Baltic Sea States.
Foreign Minister Pabriks praised Sweden's co-operation in the sharing of common premises at the Embassy during the launching of a pilot project in India. Latvia had the opportunity of obtaining a lot of new information on one of the fastest growing countries in the world, which also attracts an increased interest from the Latvian businessmen. Mr Pabriks noted that Latvia may offer its premises to a Swedish diplomat in one of its embassies in the Caucasian countries.
The Swedish Foreign Minister noted that at the beginning of the nineteen nineties the minority issues in Latvia were among the most sensitive issues in Europe; nevertheless, Latvia has successfully resolved it over the past fifteen years.
Foreign Minister Pabriks welcomed Sweden's decision on keeping the Baltic languages on its list of priority languages, and noted that this decision is particularly significant for such a small country as Latvia.
The Latvian Foreign Minister expressed his gratitude to his Swedish counterpart for his personal contribution at the beginning of the nineteen nineties, when the Swedish government, led by Mr Bildt, provided significant support to the international recognition and the strengthening of the independence of Latvia.
(end of text)
|
