Latvian Foreign Minister discusses EU issues with French Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries

On 4 March the Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries of France, Michel Barnier. During the meeting, current issues related to bilateral relations and the EU were discussed. 

The Ministers reviewed the process of the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty by parliaments of EU Member States. Foreign Minister Riekstins indicated that the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia intends to ratify the Treaty before summer. Both Mr Riekstins and Mr Barnier noted that it was essential that the Treaty be ratified by all the EU Member States. The Ministers also recognised that it was important to establish and to maintain an active dialogue between politicians and the general public when explaining various EU related topics. 

Both parties acknowledged the intensity of bilateral relations between Latvia and France and the opportunity to enhance these ties in relation to France's approaching Presidency of the EU which it is expected to take over later this year.

 

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