Foreign Minister expresses support for NGO international projects and activities for educating Latvian public

On 1 March 2007, during his meeting with representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), Foreign Minister Artis Pabriks expressed his support for international projects and activities planned by NGOs this year for the purpose of educating the Latvian public. Mr Pabriks emphasized that NGOs have an important role in the implementation of national goals and in the promotion of Latvia abroad, and therefore, mutual co-operation is particularly essential.

The Foreign Minister briefed participants on the Foreign Ministry's efforts in the strengthening of Latvia's positions in international organizations and their institutions, and invited the NGOs to support this initiative. He also stressed the importance of educating the Latvian public on different global events and its involvement in the decision-making process, and expressed his support for the NGO projects in this area.

As one of the Foreign Ministry's priorities is the implementation of development policy in the former Soviet countries east of the EU: Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, and in individual development sectors in Belarus, Mr Pabriks commended the interest and activities of NGOs in the area of development co-operation.

The Foreign Minister called on the NGOs to regularly update the Foreign Ministry on their foreign activities, as the Foreign Ministry and embassies may also contribute to the establishment of contacts and the organization of events. Mr Pabriks briefed participants on a proposed visit to the Transcaucasian countries in April of this year, which will focus in particular on the promotion of economic co-operation.

At the meeting, the Director of the Civic Alliance Latvia, Rasma Pipike, presented the Foreign Minister with the results of the European Citizens' Consultations in Latvia held on 24-25 February, for the official use of the Foreign Ministry.

The purpose of the meeting was to exchange opinions, recommendations and proposals for closer co-operation between non-governmental organizations and the Foreign Ministry.

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