Latvian foreign minister discusses recent protest actions with Lithuanian foreign minister [17 Jan 2009]

In a telephone conversation on the evening of 16 January, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins and his Lithuanian counterpart Vygaudas Usackas discussed the recent protest actions in Riga and Vilnius.

Both ministers acknowledged that it may be premature to draw any conclusions on whether there were direct links between the rioting in Latvia and in Lithuania, nevertheless Minister Riekstins and Minister Usackas agreed that any protest actions involving violence and serious violations of public order are to be condemned. "In a democratic society, the expression of opinion and attitude as a  manifestation of the freedom and rights of a citizen cannot be repudiated, however only on the condition that the protest takes place peacefully, and not as a form of rioting, causing suffering to other people," noted Foreign Minister Riekstins.

Minister Riekstins also briefed the Lithuanian foreign minister about his initiative to develop in Latvia a common memorandum between political parties, nongovernmental and religious organisations, and trade unions for the condemnation of violence which would be a binding commitment to observe the principles of nonviolence at public meetings in the future.

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