The President of Latvia noted that Latvia and the United Kingdom have developed successful bilateral cooperation in political, economic, and security issues. Raimonds Vējonis stressed that aggravation of the partnership should not be allowed due to the referendum on withdrawal from the European Union taken place in the United Kingdom.
“So it was important for me to hear the willingness of Great Britain to maintain close relations with Latvia after the referendum on the withdrawal from the European Union as well. It is essential that when the United Kingdom starts to negotiate the withdrawal process, status of citizens of Member States of the European Union, including Latvia, living in the country would not be affected,” said the President of Latvia during the conversation with Speaker of the UK House of Commons John Bercow.
He also called on the British authorities to take a firm stand against manifestations of intolerance that Latvian citizens had faced in the UK in recent weeks.
During the meeting with Madam Speaker of the UK House of Lords Baroness D'Souza, Raimonds Vējonis emphasized that Latvian and British economic relations had a stable history. “We have successful joint ventures in information technology, woodworking, pharmaceutical, and other industries. Latvian entrepreneurs, mainly construction companies, are successfully working in the British market. The recent referendum has created a degree of uncertainty on further business opportunities,” indicated the President of Latvia.
As underlined by Raimonds Vējonis, one should continue the close relationship between Great Britain and Latvia so that cooperation would create mutual benefits in the long-term perspective.