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Hillary Clinton and Valdis Dombrovskis. Riga, 28.06.2012. Photo: flickr.com

The Prime Minister informed that Latvia has submitted to the OECD a formal application expressing willingness to join. H.Clinton emphasized that Latvia’s achievements in restoring economic stability and growth which are presented in Europe and elsewhere in the world as an example how to overcome the crisis, are a convincing argument to be used to ensure the necessary support of the partners to Latvia’s objective to join the OECD. Membership in the OECD will provide Latvia with the opportunity to successfully implement the country’s economic interests in the world and to strengthen the international reputation, reported BC press secretary to the Prime Minister Mārtiņš Panke.

H.Clinton emphasized that Latvia has shown itself to be safe and reliable partner in both, bilateral relations and within the framework of international organizations, as well as expressed her interest in future objectives of Latvia to ensure sustainable growth. V.Dombrovskis pointed out that Latvia will maintain a prudent fiscal policy that will create pre-conditions for the euro introduction in 2014. “At the same time, we closely follow the developments in the euro area to make sure that they develop in the direction which is desirable for us. Example of our neighbouring country Estonia to join the euro area in 2011 confirms the conviction that this step has more positive effects than negative, however, we would like to see a decisive action to solve problems in the southern European countries,” said the Prime Minister.

Discussing the cooperation in NATO, the U.S. Secretary of State expressed satisfaction over the adopted plan of Latvia to increase the national defence budget up to 2% of GDP by 2020. “This confirms to other partners Latvia’s determination to contribute to the strengthening of collective security”, emphasized H.Clinton.

The officials also discussed the development of the Northern distribution network where Latvia is fulfilling the role of the leading country. The Prime Minister informed that currently the work is going on to begin servicing the Afghanistan’s outgoing flows of goods, as well as the opportunities to commercialize this corridor are being evaluated.

The Prime Minister also pointed out to the fact that one of the ways to strengthen the cooperation between the two countries would be support to those Latvian enterprises which are interested in offering their products to the U.S. contingent in Afghanistan. The Prime Minister also called on the U.S. side to review the validity of restrictions imposed on company Liepājas metalurgs for trade in the U.S. market.

Discussing the situation in the energy sector, H.Clinton mentioned that she sees great potential contribution from improved energy efficiency and from energy production from biomass. The USA is interested in supporting the European willingness to improve the efficiency of energy consumption, energy security and independence; therefore the USA is ready to offer Latvia its energy experts’ assistance. V.Dombrovskis also confirmed Latvia’s readiness to continue close cooperation with the USA in the area of energy and other sectors.