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Today, during his working visit to Moscow, Aigars Kalvītis, Prime Minister of the Republic of Latvia, met Mikhail Fradkov, Prime Minister of the Russian Federation. After the meeting both Prime Ministers signed the Border Treaty between Latvia and Russia and the Latvian Prime Minister and the Latvian delegation participated in a working lunch hosted by Mikhail Fradkov.
During the meeting Prime Minister Aigars Kalvītis pointed out to the relevance of the Border Treaty with regard to bilateral relations of both countries. „Latvia is interested to develop stable and sound relations with the Russian Federation. Today’s meeting and the signature of the Border Treaty are remarkable steps towards further development of relations which were in a way discontinued for about 10 years.”
The Latvian Prime Minister emphasised that Latvia is interested in soon ratification of the Border Treaty in both countries and in arranging a visit of Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga, President of Latvia, to Russia after the ratification process.
Aigars Kalvītis also presented to the Russian side a draft agreement on the facilitation of border crossing according to the preliminary agreement of both Prime Ministers reached during their meeting in Reykjavik last year.
During the discussion Igor Levitin and Oskars Spurdziņš, Co-Chairmen of the Latvian-Russian Intergovernmental Commission, informed about Commission’s results last year when the main emphasis was put on strengthening the legal base. The Intergovernmental Commission will further focus on the signature of the Double Taxation Convention, on the investment protection agreement, matters related to border crossing problems and on further development of the transport infrastructure.
Prime Minister Aigars Kalvītis stressed that in order to foster bilateral relations of Latvia and Russia, it is necessary to intensify ministerial visits.
Another focus of the meeting was energy issues. The Latvian Prime Minister informed about the North-European gas pipeline, potential development of Dobele gas storage facility and the opportunity to sign a long-term gas supply agreement between Latvia and Russia.
Aigars Kalvītis also addressed the issue related to export problems of Latvian fish products to Russia. Both sides shared the view that this issue must be resolved by experts.
The Latvian Prime Minister raised the question of export duties for wood exports from Russia, as well as the double rail tariff policy.
The Head of the Latvian Government discussed opportunities to start negotiations on the new EU-Russia partnership agreement in the nearest future.
At the end of the meeting Aigars Kalvītis reminded Mikhail Fradkov that already during their meeting in Reykjavik he was invited to come to Latvia on a working visit.
This evening Prime Minister Aigars Kalvītis will participate in a working dinner with representatives of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (Employers).
Jana Vektere
Consultant
Communication Department
Phone: 7082919, mob. ph.: 29244699
E-mail: Jana.Vektere@mk.gov.lv
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