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On 12 June 2026, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Baiba Braže, met with the Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Mathias Cormann, to discuss the OECD’s contribution to Latvia’s development, the organisation’s latest Economic Survey on Latvia, support for Ukraine, and issues related to OECD enlargement.
Marking the tenth anniversary of Latvia’s accession to the OECD, Baiba Braže highlighted the organisation’s significant contribution to the country’s development.
“We are pleased with the organisation’s positive assessment of Latvia. The Economic Survey presented today offers valuable recommendations for promoting economic growth, improving the efficiency of public administration, and strengthening social welfare,” the Minister noted.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs welcomed the recommendations included in the Economic Survey 2026, noting that a number of them, including those regarding the efficiency of public administration and the healthcare sector, align with the priorities of the government of Latvia and can serve as a basis for future structural reforms.
Discussing the challenges posed by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, Baiba Braže expressed appreciation for Ukraine’s national programme and the work of the office in Kyiv, supporting Ukraine’s reforms and alignment with the organisation’s standards. The Minister affirmed Latvia’s support for Ukraine’s efforts to become an OECD candidate country.
Ukraine’s integration into international organisations is a significant contribution to its long-term development and resilience. Latvia supports the organisation’s enlargement with countries that respect its values and are able to meet the membership criteria.
Mathias Cormann arrived in Latvia to present the Economic Survey 2026 on Latvia. These surveys are conducted every two years for all Member States, providing an evidence-based analysis of economic and social policies, as well as recommendations for future reforms. This year, the sixth such survey on Latvia has been published.
This is the fourth visit to Latvia of the Secretary-General of the OECD. In 2022 and 2024, Mathias Cormann presented an Economic Survey on Latvia in Riga, and last year, at the invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Baiba Braže, he participated in the Techritory 2025 forum.
