On 24 August, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with the newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to Latvia, Judith Gail Garber, who had arrived in Latvia only that morning and made a courtesy visit to the Foreign Minister in order to present copies of her letters of credence.

During the meeting, the Ambassador informed about her plans for the future, following an official ceremony of presenting letters of credence to the President of Latvia and having met the U.S. Embassy diplomats in Riga.

The Foreign minister noted that the Ambassador had arrived in Latvia at the time when the country was marking the 20th anniversary of a historic and symbolic event – the Baltic Way. Minister Riekstins also expressed his acknowledgement to the U.S. side for the statement on this occasion by the Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, that reaffirmed the commitment of the United States to strengthen strategic partnerships with the people and governments of the Baltic states. The minister emphasized that small European countries cherish the principle of solidarity, and the Baltic states highly appreciate the consistent support by the United States.

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