On 17 December 2021, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Edgars Rinkēvičs, had an introductory meeting with the new Ambassadors of Ireland, Israel, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the United Kingdom accredited to Latvia during the second half of the present year.
The Minister and the Ambassadors discussed the main topics on the bilateral relations agenda and latest developments in foreign policy.
In a discussion on bilateral relations with the Ambassador of Ireland, Eimear Friel, the Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs underlined the potential for cooperation with Ireland in bioeconomics, geospatial planning, and smart forestry.
In a conversation with the Ambassador of the State of Israel, Sharon Rappaport Palgi, the Minister highlighted the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Latvia and Israel to be narked in 2022. Visits by the senior officials of Latvia to Israel are planned to mark the occasion.
As the Minister addressed the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Claudia Magdalena Njoo Pieterse, he pointed to the opportunities for cooperation between the academics and leading companies of the two countries in the field of information and communication technologies, including integration into common European value chains.
The Latvian Foreign Minister and the Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation, Martin Xavier Michelet, exchanged views on cooperation initiatives in economy and future potential in the areas such as high technologies, research and development.
In his conversation with the Ambassador of the United Kingdom, Paul Brummell, the Minister thanked for the reception offered to him in London on 6-7 December and he noted that Declaration on Cooperation signed during the visit outlined the areas for bilateral cooperation and evidenced a common understanding of global challenges.