On 4-5 September, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will attend the Informal Meeting of EU Foreign Ministers (the Gymnich) in Stockholm, Sweden. During the meeting, the ministers will exchange opinions on further EU strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan in the wake of the presidential and provincial elections in Afghanistan on 20 August. The ministers also intend to talk about the current situation in the Middle East and the role of the EU as a global player. A debate on the neighbouring regions' perspective will take place with the EU candidate countries (Croatia, Turkey, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia). 

An informal meeting of the EU Ministers of Foreign Affairs is held during each EU Presidency.

(End of text)