OREANDA-NEWS. “Working on empowerment of our exporting businesses in different regions, it is important for Latvia to promote development of political dialogue and establishment of personal contacts among the citizens of corresponding countries as well,” stressed President of Latvia Raimonds V?jonis during accreditation of the Ambassadors of Azerbaijan, Peru, and Kyrgyzstan to Latvia on Tuesday, May 17.

During the meeting with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Azerbaijan (Ashraf Javanshir Akhundov, the President of Latvia appreciated successful political cooperation between the two countries and noted that continuing the high-level political dialogue and regular contacts were essential. Raimonds V?jonis highlighted that potential for growth of economic cooperation between Latvia and Azerbaijan existed, which could be supported by means of a significant additional support mechanism like the work of an intergovernmental commission according to both officials. In particular, the interest of both countries in promoting cooperation in the field of transport was outlined with the North-South transport corridor being mentioned as essential constituent thereof.

Raimonds V?jonis pointed to active participation of the Azerbaijani community in social life of Latvia and indicated that the ethnic minorities living here were considered the richness that made positive contribution to national development. During the meeting, the President of Latvia welcomed the launched regional cooperation and pointed to opportunities of expanding the latter by building fellowship among municipalities of both countries. The Ambassador pointed out that the President of Latvia was a welcomed guest on his visit to Azerbaijan.

During accreditation visit of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Peru Eduardo Ch?varri, the President of Latvia emphasized that Latvia intended to intensify the currently friendly bilateral relations by using the existing ties for strengthening of economic and educational cooperation. Both parties agreed that the recently introduced visa-free regime between the EU and Peru would serve population of both countries as a tool for expanding direct contacts and factor contributing to student exchanges.

While discussing opportunities to develop economic and trade relations between Latvia and Peru with the new Ambassador, the President of Latvia highlighted that Latvia supported further strengthening of political relations of the EU and Latvia with Latin America. The Ambassador presented the opportunities provided to Latvian entrepreneurs in Peru by stressing that the country was developing very fast and supported launch of new projects much. Both officials shared the view that tourism was the industry with the best potential for growth.

When accrediting Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan Kubanychbek Omuraliev, Raimonds V?jonis expressed desire of Latvia to improve the legal framework between the two countries as well, by activating the work on harmonization and conclusion of the already initiated draft agreements.

The President of Latvia expressed willingness of Latvia to expand economic cooperation with Kyrgyzstan and pointed out that Kyrgyzstan was already a significant partner of Latvia in transport and logistics, and he expressed an opportunity to carry container cargos between the two capitals. Both officials agreed that there was high potential for economic cooperation. When discussing opportunities in education, Raimonds V?jonis mentioned offer of the Latvian universities to pursue higher education in Latvia to foreign students, including using offered scholarships.

In the conclusion, the President of Latvia noted that Latvia considered the Central Asian region significant for cooperation in foreign policy matters. He also stressed the importance of security situation in the region, especially in Afghanistan. During the conversation, the Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan thanked Latvia for its support for the Central Asian region provided during the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. President V?jonis noted that Latvia would continue its commitments initiated during its presidency of the Council of the EU and would continue to promote cooperation of the Central Asian countries with the EU including Kyrgyzstan.