Foreign Minister of Latvia and Chair of Lithuanian Seimas discuss regional co-operation and topical EU issues

On 25 April, the Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins, during a meeting with Ceslovas Jursenas, Speaker of the Lithuanian Seimas, discussed regional co-operation, topical EU issues and bilateral relations, including the Latvia - Lithuania treaty on sea borders.

Minister Riekstins congratulated Mr Jursenas on his appointment to office, and thanked the Speaker of the Seimas for choosing Latvia for his first official visit abroad.

In discussions on regional co-operation, both sides exchanged opinions on the work carried out so far by the Council of the Baltic Sea States, the Baltic Assembly and the Baltic Council of Ministers. The officials accentuated the necessity to continue co-operation between the Baltic states, both within regional organisations and as part of the EU and NATO. Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins noted that for a year and a half the Baltic states will be co-operating closely in elaborating an EU strategy for the Baltic Sea Region.

During the meeting, the ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon in both the Latvian and the Lithuanian parliament was discussed, as well as further work on the implementation of the Treaty. As Ceslovas Jursenas noted, decisions in the final reading with regard to the ratification of the Treaty could be taken simultaneously in Latvia and Lithuania.

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