On 8 September, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with the Foreign Minister of Italy, Franco Frattini, who was on a working visit in Latvia. During the meeting, the parties discussed the relations between Latvia and Italy, and noted the development of political, economic and cultural dialogue.

Whilst speaking about the strengthening of the Latvian-Italian economic co-operation, Foreign Minister Frattini came forward with an initiative to organise a business forum for entrepreneurs of both countries that would identify sectors with the highest investment potential. Mr Riekstins welcomed the proposal and suggested that sectoral associations should be involved in launching the forum.

The Latvian and Italian Foreign Ministers discussed strengthening the co-operation format of the Council of the Baltic Sea States and the Adriatic-Ionic Initiative, and reviewed the prospects of holding a meeting of foreign ministers of those countries in order to exchange opinions on issues of importance for the parties.

As part of the visit, Ministers Riekstins and Frattini signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the Foreign Ministries of Latvia and Italy on expanding co-operation, in view of the fact that Latvia, in the first half of 2015, will take over the EU Presidency from Italy. With regard to the international policy agenda, the parties exchanged opinions on the processes of the EU enlargement, relations with the EU's eastern neighbours, as well as the progress with ratification of the Lisbon Treaty.

During their discussion on co-operation within NATO, the ministers noted the significance of the operation in Afghanistan. Opinions were also exchanged on the preparation of the new NATO Strategic Concept. Minister Riekstins emphasised that it was important to achieve close co-operation during the elaboration of the concept in order to secure a clear display of the collective defence principle. 

The visit by Foreign Minister Frattini is the first visit by an Italian foreign minister to Latvia since the restoration of its independence. The visit takes place within the framework of visits to the Baltic states.

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