Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins and senior Finnish officials discuss Baltic-Nordic co-operation [17 Feb 2010]

On 17 February, Foreign Minister was on a working visit to Finland and met with the Speaker of the Parliament Sauli Niinisto and Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb.

During the meeting with Foreign Minister of Finland, Alexander Stubb, the parties spoke positively of the political dialogue between the countries, including economic co-operation. The ministers discussed the upcoming visit to Latvia by President of Finland, Tarja Halonen in June this year, and focussed on building business contacts.

Particular attention was paid to regional co-operation, in view of Latvia's co-ordinating function among the Foreign Ministries of the NB-8 (Nordic–Baltic-Eight: Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia) this year. "Baltic and Nordic co-operation should be strengthened and supported, economic co-operation in particular. The region has demonstrated dynamic growth, and is to be regarded as an influential player whose gross domestic product ranks among the top ten in the world," Foreign Minister Riekstins indicated.

In relation to institutional issues in the European Union the ministers discussed the development of the European External Action Service. Ministers Riekstins and Stubb agreed that an adequate diplomatic representation of Member States has to be ensured in the European External Action Service, including the EU delegations.

The ministers exchanged opinions on the process of the development of NATO's Strategic Concept, as well as energy and security policy. Both parties also talked about the situation in Western Balkans, in view of Minister Stubb's recent visit to the region. The ministers agreed that the EU engagement should be continued for the stabilisation of the region, and expressed support to the EU enlargement.

During the meeting with the Speaker of the Parliament, Sauli Niinisto, the parties focused on economic challenges faced both by Latvia and Finland. Minister Riekstins briefed his counterpart about the political situation in Latvia and noted that several indicators show first signs of stabilising in Latvia's economies. The parties also exchanged opinions on the upcoming parliamentary elections in Latvia this autumn and in 2011 in Finland. 

Video of the press conference on the website of the Foreign Ministry of Finland Somijas ārlietu ministrija mājas lapā.

(End of text)