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On 6 August, Minister of Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins met with representatives of the Afghanistan Women's Business Federation to discuss Latvia's contribution to the process of promoting democracy in Afghanistan and the continuation of women's business experience exchange projects.
At the start of the meeting, the Foreign Minister Riekstins advised the Afghan business women of Latvia's development co-operation projects in the political and economic reconstruction of Afghanistan. Mr Riekstins mentioned the development of water reservoir and supply systems in a number of villages of the Faryab province, completed on 29 May this year, as a successful example. Implementation of this project has provided some 4,800 residents of these villages with a supply of drinking water. The Minister also told of the recently started project to strengthen rule of law, which includes construction of Court buildings in the Faryab province and special training of judges and judicial employees. There are also Latvian troops stationed in the Faryab province, as well as the political and development adviser in Afghanistan of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Rudolfs Bremanis.
During the meeting Foreign Minister Riekstins mentioned the International Conference in Support of Afghanistan held in Paris on 12 June, during which the international community noted the need to become involved in fostering gender equality and promoting professional training of women in Afghanistan.
"Since the renewal of independence of Latvia, the role of women in both government and non-government sectors has increased and become established. There have been times when high offices of national administration – President, Speaker of the Saeima, Foreign Minister and Minister of Defence have been held by women. Thus, Latvian women have the experience and knowledge to offer to Afghan women", stated the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
During the talks, representatives of the Afghanistan Women's Business Federation welcomed the experience gained during the visit. Regarding the promotion of business in Afghanistan, the Afghan women sketched in the potential of business development in sectors such as handicrafts, the processing of precious stones and improving marketing techniques.
The delegation of Afghanistan Women's Business Federation visited Latvia 1-6 August with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a public organisation - the association "Lidere" and the private sector. During the visit the Afghan women's delegation took part in the "Mentoring Master Workshop. West-East" organised by the organisation "Lidere", met with the President of Latvia, Valdis Zatlers, former President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, and representatives of the Ministry of Defence. A Memorandum of Understanding on co-operation between the organisation "Lidere" and the Afghanistan Women's Business Federation was signed on 6 August.
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