On 9 September, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with the upcoming Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Norway in Latvia, Jan Ole Grevstad, as part of the Ambassador's accreditation visit.

During the meeting, the parties noted positively the co-operation to date between Latvia and Norway, both at the governmental level and between local authorities. With regard to the deepening of the co-operation, Minister Riekstins spoke about the possibilities for the enhancement of business co-operation.

Mr Riekstins and Mr Grevstad discussed the local political situation in both countries. The Ambassador-to-be informed about the forthcoming parliamentary elections on 14 September this year.

Whilst speaking about the co-operation within NATO, Mr Riekstins and Mr Grevstad expressed satisfaction about the Latvian-Norwegian co-operation in Afghanistan. Out of 168 staff of the national contingent of Latvia deployed in Afghanistan, 121 soldiers fulfill their military duties in the Norwegian-led Provincial Reconstruction Team of Maymana, in the Province of Faryab, North Afghanistan. The parties also discussed the presidential and provincial elections in Afghanistan on 12 August this year. 

During the meeting, the parties reviewed the topical issues of the European Union, including the institutional issues and the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty.

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