Maris Riekstins to take part in informal meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers

On 5-6 March, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will participate in an informal meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers in Brussels. The principal purpose of the meeting is to review the topics to be discussed at the NATO Summit in Bucharest on 3-4 April. The main issues will be the prospective enlargement of the alliance and the progress of NATO operations.

The results of the NATO Foreign Ministers' meeting will largely determine which of the NATO candidate countries will be invited to join the alliance. Within the framework of the meeting, a discussion will also take place about the position of the alliance regarding the prospects of accession by Georgia and Ukraine to the NATO Membership Action Plan.

Another significant item on the agenda is the progress of NATO operations in Afghanistan and Kosovo. NATO Foreign Ministers will discuss further actions necessary to ensure effectiveness of the said operations.

(end of text)