Aigars Kalvītis and Prime Minister of Portugal discuss closer cooperation in the EU

Continuing the first-ever working visit of a Prime Minister of Latvia to Portugal, today, Aigars Kalvītis, Prime Minister of the Republic of Latvia, met José Sócrates Carvalho Pinto de Sousa, Prime Minister of Portugal, and Diogo Freitas do Amaral, Minister for Foreign Affairs.

The Prime Ministers very positively assessed the development of political and economic contacts of Latvia and Portugal, further promoted by the recently opened Embassy of Portugal in RÄ«ga. Both sides agreed that Portugal and Latvia have many common interests in such areas as security policy and further development of the European Union (EU).

Aigars Kalvītis and José Sócrates Carvalho Pinto de Sousa agreed that the currently most important issue of the EU is the need for the European Parliament to approve the EU Financial Perspective for 2007-2013 as soon as possible. Equally important, in the opinion of both Prime Ministers, are issues concerning ratification of the EU Constitutional Treaty. Portugal will play an important role in this process, because it will hold the EU Presidency during the second half of 2007, when after elections in France and Netherlands a decision will have to be made on further progress of the Constitutional Treaty.

The Prime Ministers discussed economic development of both countries. Both sides stressed that Latvian and Portuguese businessmen must use the opportunities offered by the enlarged EU âÀ“ overcome psychological barriers, stop relying solely on traditional markets and enter new markets.

Both Heads of Government noted the cooperation in foreign policy issues. Latvia can offer Portugal expertise on new neighbours of the EU: Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova and Georgia; while for Latvia the experience of Portugal is important in such areas as relations of the EU with African countries and common policy towards countries of Latin America.

The Prime Ministers shared the view that the work on developing a common energy policy of the EU must continue.

Continuing his visit, this evening Aigars Kalvītis will give an interview to the Television of Portugal. Tomorrow, January 26, the Prime Minister will meet the President of Portugal and representatives of the Union of Industrialists.