On Saturday, November 5, the Prime Minister Māris Kučinskis met with Prime Minister of Belarus Andrei Kobyakov.
Latvia and Belarus have good and active cooperation in various fields. In the context of the European Union, Latvia supports the normalization of relations between the EU and Belarus, expressing a positive attitude regarding the opening of negotiations on a new EU - Belarus Cooperation Agreement. At the same time Latvia calls on Belarus to continue to take positive steps in strengthening democratic norms and human rights.
During the meeting, Mr Kučinskis noted that Belarus is an important economic partner to Latvia. "The transport and transit industry hold a particular significance. We are working on attracting cargo from China and here we see an opportunity to work with Belarus, “ said Mr Kučinskis.
Latvia is interested in developing a trilateral cooperation between Latvia, Belarus and China for transit of Chinese goods through Belarus and Latvia. The cooperation includes attracting cargo for the Belarus-China Industrial Park “Great Stone”.
As for the neighbouring relations, the Prime Minister expressed the need to continue cooperation in the European Neighbourhood Policy within the framework of the Latvia-Lithuania-Belarus Cross Border Cooperation Programme, as well as regional cooperation and contacts between local governments.
The Prime Minister of Belarus, A.Kobyakov is visiting Latvia within the framework of the 16 + 1 Summit in Riga.
Additional information:
Andrejs Vaivars
Prime Minister's Press Secretary
Phone: 29228678
E-mail: Andrejs.Vaivars@mk.gov.lv