During the meeting with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Portugal Enrique Silveira Borges, President of Latvia Raimonds Vējonis welcomed the contribution of Portugal to NATO ally provided Baltic Air Policing. Within the framework of the European Union (EU), Latvia and Portugal have common interests in energy matters and about the new EU multiannual budget. It is therefore essential to continue consultations and co-operation on these issues. At the same time, Latvia sees the potential for closer economic co-operation, as well as cooperation in tourism, culture, and education.
Addressing Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Gul Hussain Ahmadi, the President of Latvia expressed the support for the efforts of the Afghan Government to ensure the long-term security, stability, and development of the country. Terrorism poses a serious threat to international peace and security, which requires comprehensive and coordinated international cooperation. Latvia is already providing support to Afghanistan in various formats, both through its participation in the Resolute Support Mission, by financially supporting the Afghan armed forces and by participating in multiple projects aimed at strengthening border controls and combat illegal trade flows in the Central Asian region, which is closely linked to security in Afghanistan. To improve safety in the area in the long term, Latvia has committed itself together with its international partners to the NATO Peace Mission in Afghanistan. Latvia is also ready to continue the cooperation both bilaterally and internationally.
In its turn, during the conversation with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Dr Faisal Ghulam, President of Latvia Raimonds Vējonis reiterated Latvia’s desire to promote political dialogue with Saudi Arabia. In March this year, the first non-resident Ambassador of Latvia to Saudi Arabia, Ms Astra Kurme, was accredited. Both countries have the potential for closer cooperation in agriculture, food production, forestry, wood processing and pharmaceuticals as well as services, in particular in transport, information and communication technologies, and health tourism. Cooperation in education between universities, both students and academics, is also essential. Raimonds Vējonis also emphasised Latvia’s interest in signing a Memorandum of Understanding between the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Council of Chambers of Saudi Arabia as well as the Convention for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion concerning taxes on income and on capital.
