Estonia, EU – Baltic States, Latvia, Technology

Urmas Paet and Maris Riekstins. Tallinn, 10.03.2010.

Riekstins, who is on a visit to Estonia on Wednesday, noted at the press conference that proposals from new Member States should be taken into account in deciding the locations of agencies and institutions – thus far no EU institutions are situated in new Member States.

The Latvian minister noted that although relations between Estonia and Latvia are very good, there is room for further improvement and strengthening. To that end, rapporteurs appointed by two countries are drafting a new report on the bilateral relations and will also come up with their recommendations on which are the areas where relations would need further improvement. According to current plans, the report will be compiled by mid-June.

Riekstins’ current visit is the first official visit made by a Latvian minister of foreign affairs to Estonia in the past 14 years. The long break between official visits does not, however, characterise the relations between the two countries, noted the Latvian minister.

During the visit, Riekstins and Paet will also discuss relations with the EU, NATO and Russia, including the visa dialogue with Russia, as well as latest developments in Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia and the NATO strategic concept.