Latvian Foreign Minister congratulates newly elected U.S. Vice President on Democratic Party victory in U.S. presidential elections

On 5 November Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins sent a letter to the U.S. Vice President-elect Senator Joseph Biden, conveying his warmest congratulations to the newly-elected President Barack Obama and the Vice President, and every success for their term in office ahead.

In his letter, the Foreign Minister particularly highlighted the work of Senator Biden in his capacity as the Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and his personal contribution to the promotion of the relations between Latvia and the U.S., as well as his firm support for Latvia's integration into NATO.

"I would like to express my gratitude to President-elect Barack Obama for the support expressed already during the pre-election presidential election debates to the efforts of the Baltic states and other new democracies. I am honoured about the personal involvement of Barack Obama in passing the U.S. Senate Resolution congratulating the Republic of Latvia on the 90th anniversary of its declaration of independence", stated Minister Riekstins.

In the letter it is emphasised that Latvia values greatly its close relations with the U.S., and reaffirms Latvia's readiness to work together actively, both in bilateral and multilateral formats of co-operation. "I am convinced that the contacts between Latvia and the U.S. will continue to develop in the present atmosphere of friendship," affirms the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

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