|
On 6 August, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will meet with representatives from the Afghan Women's Business Federation who are staying in Latvia from 1 August to 6 August to participate in the Mentoring Master Workshop. West-East organized by the Latvian professional women's association Lidere.
At the meeting with Foreign Minister Riekstins it is planned to discuss the participation of Latvia in development projects and in projects for strengthening security in Afghanistan, as well as business opportunities in the country. The representatives from the Afghan Women's Business Federation are to inform the Minister about their experience of the visit to Latvia and about the benefits which can be gained from this type of co-operation between Latvian and Afghan business women.
The visit to Latvia by the delegation of the Afghan Women's Business Federation reaffirms Latvia's support for the development of Afghanistan, including support to human rights issues and the promotion of gender equality. On 12 June this year in Paris, during the International Conference in Support of Afghanistan, the promotion of gender equality, women's vocational training and involvement in business was acknowledged as one of the key tasks for the international community in this country. At the Paris conference, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins highlighted Latvia's contribution to the rebuilding of Afghanistan and briefed about the experience exchange programme for Afghan women-entrepreneurs in Latvia.
The delegation of the Afghan Women's Business Federation has come to Latvia with the support from a non-governmental organization - the association Lidere, and from the private sector. During the visit, the Afghan women's delegation met with President Valdis Zatlers and former President Vaira Vike-Freiberga. A meeting with representatives from the Ministry of Defence has also been planned.
During the visit to Latvia the delegation of the Afghan Women's Business Federation is being accompanied by Rudolfs Bremanis, the political and development advisor of the Foreign Ministry of Latvia in Afghanistan.
Latvia is contributing to the strengthening of Afghanistan's security, both within the framework of international operations and through the implementation of bilateral co-operation projects. The implementation of development co-operation projects is a part of the planned directions of action for Latvia's involvement in rebuilding Afghanistan, as determined by the Cabinet of Ministers order No. 712 of 15 November 2007 On guidelines for comprehensive involvement of Latvia in the restoration of Afghanistan 2007-2013.
For the attention of the media!
From 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Meeting between Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins and representatives from the delegation of the Afghan Women's Business Federation in Room 309 (3rd floor).
At the beginning of the meeting, a photo and video opportunity. After the meeting media representatives will have the opportunity to address questions to the Foreign Minister.
From 11:40 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. Meeting of the association Lidere and representatives from the Afghan Women's Business Federation with media representatives. Signing of a memorandum on further co-operation in the meeting room of the Foreign Ministry Training Centre (1st floor).
Media are requested to register their participation with the Foreign Ministry Press Centre by telephone 67016272 before 10 a.m. on 6 August.
(end of text)
|
