Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins to go on official visit to Estonia [09 Mar 2010]

On 10 March, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will be on an official visit to Estonia where he will meet with senior state officials in order to discuss the enhancement of co-operation between the countries both in the bilateral and regional formats.

Minister Riekstins has been scheduled to meet with President of Estonia Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Speaker of the Parliament Ene Ergma, Prime Minister Andrus Ansip, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet, Head of the Foreign Affairs Commission, Sven Mikser, and with Head of the European Affairs Commission, Marko Mihkelson.

During the meetings, the parties will discuss the current topics of bilateral co-operation, including stronger economic co-operation, given the fact that Estonia is Latvia's second largest export partner, and ranks fifth in imports. The discussion is to deal with the economic situation in both neighbouring countries, as well as the process of introducing the euro in Estonia.

The agenda for discussions also includes the subject of intensifying co-operation within the format of the Baltic states and the Nordic countries.

In relation to the current European Union agenda, the parties are expected to exchange opinions on the EU's institutional issues, including the establishment and operation of the European External Action Service, as well as common interests of the countries regarding that service. Other points for discussion concern security and energy policy.

"This visit brings yet another excellent opportunity to discuss with senior Estonian officials in person the issues of importance to both countries," Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins noted. "Dynamic relations between our countries are demonstrated not only by sheer number of subjects to be discussed, but also by the implementation of joint projects: for instance, on the premises of the Embassy of Latvia in Cairo, our neighbours as well have opened their embassy in Egypt.

As part of the visit, Mr Riekstins and Mr Paet will announce and congratulate the winner of this year's Joint Award for Latvian and Estonian Translators. 

The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Estonia, Urmas Paet, was on an official visit to Latvia on 18 February 2009.

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