Third meeting of Latvia-Russia Intergovernmental Commission to be held on 29 July in Riga

On 25 June, Co-chairmen of the Latvia-Russia Intergovernmental Commission (IGC) – the Minister of Economy of Latvia, Artis Kampars, and the Minister of Transport of Russia, Igor Levitin, agreed on the organisation of the third IGC meeting on 29 July in Riga.

During the discussion, Minister Kampars emphasised that the start of operations by the Latvia and Russia Joint Demarcation Commission is an issue of importance for Latvia, and invited the Russian side to approve as soon as possible the Commission's membership on the part of Russia. Other topics discussed were the promotion of transit, co-operation in the sector of rail traffic, the issues of border crossing and co-operation in the field of heritage values.

The parties also reviewed the possibilities for the expansion of the framework of bilateral agreements. The ministers agreed that, in the nearest future, the implementation protocol should be concluded for the Agreement between the European Community and the Russian Federation on readmission, which has been ratified by the Latvian side as early as on 11 June; also the Agreement on combating crime, in particular in its organised forms, and the Agreement on the alleviation of visa regime for residents of border areas should be signed. The IGC co-chairmen were of the same mind that efforts need also to be made on the co-ordination of other draft agreements which are being elaborated, including the agreements on the Avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income and on capital, on the Promotion and reciprocal protection of investments, on Co-operation in the protection of environment, on Co-operation in the prevention of emergency situations and elimination of their consequences.

The ministers shared the opinion that the IGC groups should continue their work all through the next month, and workgroup meetings or expert gatherings are to be held to prepare a substantial third IGC session. 

During the meeting, the parties commended the IGC work to date and its contribution to the development of bilateral relations, and agreed to continue to work actively on a constructive development of the economic co-operation and political dialogue.

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