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Latvia and Germany have close and friendly relations on all fronts, and it is in the interest of both countries to strengthen these ties. This was emphasised by Solvita Ābotiņa, Speaker of the Saeima, on Monday, 17 September, when she met with the delegation of the German – Baltic Parliamentary Friendship Group of the German Bundestag.
“The development of close relations between Germany and the Baltic States is a foreign policy priority for Latvia, and it is important to maintain this strategic cooperation. An important role within this context is played by parliamentary cooperation which over the past twenty years has developed successfully on all levels – between the speakers of both parliaments, the committees, as well as parliamentary cooperation groups,” the Speaker of the Saeima noted and added that this is proved by a frequent exchange of visits at all levels.
Āboltiņa thanked Germany for the support it has shown regarding Latvia’s membership in the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). She emphasised that our country has two other priority issues to be addressed in the near future. These issues pertain to negotiations on the multiannual budget of the European Union, namely, Latvia’s priorities are maintaining cohesion funding at the current level and obtaining equal direct payments to farmers. Likewise, Latvia plans to join the euro area in 2014, and the latest indicators show that Latvia will be able to fulfil all of the Maastricht criteria.
Christel Happach-Kasan agreed that no ceiling should be set for cohesion funding allocated to Latvia. She remarked that she has regularly visited Latvia since the restoration of its independence and that the obvious development of the country proves that European funding is being used efficiently.
Testimony to the successful cooperation between the two countries is also their participation in the International Parliament Scholarship Programme within whose framework the Bundestag has already hosted more than 50 Latvian youths, and for the second consecutive year our parliament is offering German students the opportunity to acquaint themselves with the work of the Saeima. The visit of the Bundestag delegation is taking place while two German students are training in the Saeima and they also had the opportunity to attend the meetings held today, the Speaker of the Saeima noted.
During the meeting, Latvia’s economic situation was also discussed. “Our country is experiencing economic growth which is proved by the fact that for two consecutive quarters we have had the fastest growing GDP in the European Union,” the Speaker of the Saeima emphasised. Historically, Germany has been one of Latvia’s most important trading partners and it is still the sixth largest investor; however, there is still a lot of unused potential in terms of economic cooperation, Āboltiņa said.
Āboltiņa also expressed her gratification at the successful cooperation in the area of culture, which reinforces the historical cultural relations that have developed over centuries between the two countries. The Speaker of the Saeima invited the members of the Bundestag to visit Latvia in 2014, when Riga as the European Capital of Culture will offer its guests an especially rich cultural programme.
Headed by Christel Happach-Kasan, the delegation of members of the German – Baltic Parliamentary Friendship Group of the Bundestag of the Federal Republic of Germany is visiting Latvia from 16 to 18 September.
Photos from the meeting are available at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/saeima/sets/72157631401637776/
Video from the meeting is available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndzUzX_BSFs&list=UUdQ1YxaZG3i7ygGCdU8mPKQ&index=1&feature=plcp
When using the material, please give credit to the Saeima Chancellery.
Saeima Press Service