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Valdis Dombrovskis and Toshiyuki Taga. Photo: flickr.com

Latvia and Japan share a long history of diplomatic relations – in 1929, Japan opened embassy in Rīga that was the only Asian representation. In the 1990’s, Japan actively supported Latvia on its way towards regaining its independence.

The parties confirmed their readiness to provide assistance also in the future. The Prime Minister informed the Ambassador about Latvia’s decision to acquire a status of a member state of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and called on Japan to support Latvia on its way towards this goal.

Discussing the economic relations, the officials agreed to continue to jointly create more favourable conditions for extension of economic cooperation, including the organization of expert consultations on the implementation of the Convention on the Avoidance of Double Taxation.

The officials were of the same opinion that it is important for the two countries to agree on the avoidance of double taxation to improve mutual trade and export opportunities. The Prime Minister expressed his support to concluding the Framework Agreement between the European Union and Japan and the Free Trade Agreement, emphasizing that it would be a substantial step towards establishment of closer ties.

T.Taga mentioned that the two countries have an active political dialogue and intensive cooperation the field of culture and education. Latvia is becoming increasingly recognizable in Japan, incl., the Japanese media interest in Latvia has substantially increased, said the Ambassador. He expressed his readiness to further strengthen bilateral cooperation at different levels.