The President of Latvia underlined that the cooperation in the economic sector should be facilitated in particular both by providing Latvian services of transit and logistics to Chinese businesses and by promoting export of Latvian companies to China. Intensifying exchanges in education and culture were essential as well. Raimonds Vējonis expressed his willingness to welcome more Chinese students in Latvia and to develop cooperation in the field of science.
The President said that this was a special year, because it marked the 25th anniversary since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Latvia and China and that relations between the two countries experienced the highest point in their history then.
“Relations between our countries are very good, and they have the potential to expand in every field thereof. I am pleased that several documents are signing during the visit that will be a good basis for further specification of our cooperation,” said Raimonds Vējonis.
Prime Minister of China Li Keqiang pointed out that China appreciated significant position of Latvia in the Baltic States and in relations with the Northern Europe, as well as he considered Latvia as an important partner in promoting cooperation between the East and the European Union.
The President of Latvia acknowledged that China was a very important partner for Latvia and that the cooperation format 16+1 among China and 16 Central and Eastern European countries as a good instrument for global cooperation. It complemented both the bilateral dialogue of Latvia with China and the joint EU - China cooperation within the framework of Strategic partnership, as the President of Latvia indicated.
“Latvia’s priorities in 16+1 format included cooperation in transport, attraction of investment for infrastructure projects, promotion of trade links and tourism, as well as student and staff exchange,” said Raimonds Vējonis during the meeting. He also expressed Latvia’s support to the Chinese initiative “One Belt and One Road", which opened up new opportunities for cooperation in transport and logistics between Latvia and China.
