Foreign Minister Riekstins in discussion with Slovak Ambassador underlines significance of strengtehning co-operation between both countries

On 2 June, the Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with the Ambassador of Slovakia to Latvia, Dušan Krištofik as part of his accreditation visit.

During the discussion, the parties reviewed the topicalities of Latvia-Slovakia relations, appreciating the development of political dialogue and the co-operation both at the bilateral level and within multilateral formats. Minister Riekstins noted the significance of economic co-operation, as well as an active exchange of cultural projects between Latvia and Slovakia. Ambassador Krištofik in his turn highlighted joint efforts and achievements by Latvia and Slovakia naming as examples their simultaneous accessions to Euro-Atlantic organisations and the introduction of visa-free travel to the U.S.

Minister Riekstins and Ambassador Krištofik devoted attention to the questions on the EU agenda stressing the significance of the Eastern partnership. Minister Riekstins accentuated the implementation of the Lisbon Treaty as one of the challenges faced by the EU. Also considered were the issues of energy policy and the diversification of gas supplies. The parties exchanged opinions on security policy and on the co-operation within NATO.

During the meeting, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins extended an invitation for the Slovak Foreign Minister, Miroslav Laičák to arrive on a visit to Latvia and also stressed the significance of a regular dialogue between the Foreign Ministries of both countries.

The new Ambassador of Slovakia to Latvia, Dušan Krištofik, earlier in his career, worked for the Department of South America and Australia of the Foreign Ministry of Slovakia, as well as in the embassies in Vienna and London.

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