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On 9 October, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Maris Riekstins, met with Condoleezza Rice, United States Secretary of State. During the meeting, transatlantic co-operation was reviewed in the context of international foreign policy and current security policy developments. The parties also discussed issues of bilateral co-operation between Latvia and the U.S., and noted the progress towards Latvia's admission to the U.S. Visa Waiver Program as well.
The Latvian and U.S. parties discussed the Russia-Georgia conflict, the fulfillment of the agreements achieved and the involvement of the international community in the settlement of the conflict including the talks scheduled for 15 October in Geneva and the upcoming donors' conference in support of Georgia to be held on 22 October this year in Brussels. Minister Riekstins and Secretary Rice were of one accord that the key purpose of the Georgia donors' conference is a clear signal of political support to Georgia, which should also facilitate investments into the economic development of the country.
The ministers also turned their attention to the agenda for the European Union Member States foreign ministers' meeting of 13 October, which foresees also a debate about the evaluation of relations with Russia. "Not only is a unified stand by the European Union Member States important, but also the position which is co-ordinated with the United States, thus affirming the significance of co-operation within the transatlantic community on key foreign policy issues," Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins pointed out.
During the meeting, the prospects of Ukraine and Georgia for accession to the North Atlantic Alliance were also examined, including the current domestic policy situation in Ukraine and the upcoming presidential elections.
In discussions about the situation in EU and NATO eastern neighbouring states, the ministers exchanged views on the situation in Belarus, welcoming the positive steps taken by this country for the advancement of its dialogue with the international community, at the same time noting also the shortcomings observed during the parliamentary elections in Belarus. The ministers agreed that a further dialogue between Belarus and its partners in the international community should be promoted.
Both sides exchanged opinions on the NATO operation in Afghanistan and the contribution of the international community to the reconstruction process in Afghanistan. The Foreign Minister of Latvia reiterated the readiness of Latvia to increase its involvement in Afghanistan's renewal in the future as well, both in the military and civil sectors. Minister Riekstins and Secretary of State Rice reviewed the Latvia-U.S. military co-operation to date and the potential for its further development, including within the NATO framework.
In the context of bilateral co-operation between Latvia and the U.S., the active political dialogue as well as co-operation in a number of areas was welcomed. Minister Riekstins addressed possible co-operation with the U.S. Energy Department in the energy sector. The Secretary of State positively rated the achievements by Latvia on its course towards joining the U.S. Visa Waiver Program and the successful fulfillment of technical procedures, which open the way to finalizing the process by the end of the year.
As part of his visit to the United States, Foreign Minister Riekstins also met with James Jeffrey, Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs to the President of the United States. Meetings with official representatives of the United States presidential candidates from the Democratic and Republican parties, and also talks with non-governmental organisations and foreign policy experts have been scheduled.
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