On Tuesday, June 15, in Washington, Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis met the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. During the meeting the Secretary of State expressed the willingness to strengthen partnership with Latvia.
At the beginning of discussion, Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis expressed gratitude to the USA for the strategic partnership, consistent policy of non-recognition of occupation and the support provided to Latvia on its way toward NATO. The Secretary of State thanked Latvia for its participation in the strengthening of international security and expressed appreciation for the progress made by the Latvian Government and the society in overcoming the economic crisis.
The Prime Minister and the Secretary of State were of the same opinion that the work on ensuring the stability of Afghanistan should be continued. H.Clinton highly valued the accomplishments of the Armed Forces of Latvia and emphasized the importance of the transport “artery” - Northern Distribution Network, which begins at the port of Rīga, for the efforts of the allies to ensure the necessary supply of goods to the U.S. military contingent in Afghanistan.
H. Clinton thanked Latvia for its continued support for strong sanctions against Iran.
The Prime Minister informed the Secretary of State on current developments in Latvia in relations with Russia, highlighting the growing contacts between the two countries, entrepreneurs, regions, as well as the developing contractual base. V. Dombrovskis and H. Clinton, agreed that the "reset" policy pursued by the USA towards Russia has had a positive impact on Latvia – Russia dialogue. Both parties stressed that the membership of Russia in the World Trade Organization would provide additional incentives for Russia's economic integration within the global economic system. H.Clinton noted that it is very important to create conditions for more extensive integration of the RF with Western countries, thus contributing to Russia's modernization and diversification of the structure of its national economy.
Prime Minister V. Dombrovskis expressed the readiness of Latvia to continue work with Eastern Partnership countries, especially Belarus, Ukraine and Georgia. The Secretary of State expressed her support for the efforts of Latvia to promote regional prosperity, emphasizing the need to promote reforms in the Eastern Partnership countries.
The two parties discussed international cooperation in the energy sector and education, expressing the support for the need to encourage contacts between the young people, students, universities, non-governmental organizations of both countries.
We have already informed that from June 12-16 Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis will pay a working visit to the United States of America (USA) to meet high-level officials of the political and financial sector and the compatriots living in the USA.
The photos of the meeting of the Prime Minister and the U.S. State Secretary are available in the Internet photo album of the State Chancellery: http://www.flickr.com/photos/valstskanceleja/sets/72157624161523423/
Information prepared by:
Laine Kučinska
Deputy Head
Communication Department
State Chancellery
Phone: 67082905 / 29457329
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