During a meeting with H.E. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Chile Mr Hernán Bascuñán Jiménez, the President of Latvia was delighted about the active political dialogue and cooperation between the two countries based on democracy, human rights, sustainable development, and a common approach to climate change and to combating international organised crime and terrorism. Latvia is ready to strengthen bilateral economic relations and increase trade turnover. Moreover, Latvia is also interested in developing projects in medicine, biotechnology, healthy food, and ICT, as well as promoting cooperation in education. Both countries agree on the need to support the strengthening of relations between the European Union (EU) and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC). Latvia also appreciates cooperation with the EU-LAC Foundation, which hosted the mission of Latvian ICT entrepreneurs in Chile in April 2018.
During a meeting with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan Mr Yasuhiro Kawaguchi, President of Latvia Raimonds Vējonis has confirmed that Japan is a strategic partner for Latvia as an EU Member State. The year 2018 was intense in terms of visits, including the exchange of visits by the Prime Ministers of both countries. Strengthening bilateral relations and expanding economic dialogue should continue. Latvia welcomes the agreement reached on the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement. One expects that the agreement will give a positive impetus to the sectors of timber, food production, chemical production, and pharmaceuticals of Latvia. The President of Latvia also emphasised that Latvia intended to strengthen cooperation in logistics, information technology (IT), pharmacy, design, tourism, and wood industry. We are pleased with the ongoing negotiations with airline ANA and Japanese tour operators to implement the first charter flight Tokyo-Riga-Tokyo in 2019.
