Baltic States – CIS, EU – Baltic States, Latvia, Legislation

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Rinkevics said at the meeting of foreign ministers from the EU member states and the Eastern Partnership countries that the Eastern Partnership program will be considered truly successful only when citizens of the partner countries feel tangible benefits and, to this end, the continuity of the Eastern Partnership must be ensured. The minister called on the EU to actively support the Eastern Partnership countries.

"The citizens of the Eastern Partnership countries must feel practical benefits from cooperation with the EU," said the Latvian foreign minister, while emphasizing that the implementation of agreements on the deep and comprehensive free trade area, visa liberalization, and closer sectoral cooperation are the right and necessary steps that the EU must take.

Rinkevics called for broader cooperation in transport, transit, energy, commerce, health and the IT sector. "The partners' resilience must also be further strengthened through support for the reform process, the promotion of public engagement, opportunities for interconnections and market access, and enhancement of strategic communication capabilities," Rinkevics said.

The Latvian minister noted constructive cooperation with Belarus, calling at the same time for a moratorium on the death penalty in Belarus.

Rinkevics also indicated that negotiations should be started on new association agreements with Azerbaijan and Armenia.

At the meeting, the ministers also exchanged views on the importance of the Eastern Partnership policy for the implementation of already ongoing reforms and ensuring stability in the region.