Economics, EU – Baltic States, Financial Services, Latvia

Valdis Dombrovskis and Petr Necas. Prague, 25.07.2012. Photo: flickr.com

Dombrovskis called on the Czech Republic to support the demands of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia for sufficient cohesion funding for regional development and fair distribution of direct payments in the bloc's next financial perspective.

"The EU's next budget must serve as a strong development stimulus for the entire Europe," said Dombrovskis.

The Latvian prime minister also informed Necas about Latvia's wish to join the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). With the support of the Czech Republic and other OECD partner countries, Latvia is ready to launch official OECD membership talks in the nearest future. Latvia's experience in overcoming the crisis and purposefulness in ensuring sustainable economic and resident welfare growth will contribute to achieving OECD goals and expand Latvia's economic cooperation with other member states, emphasized Dombrovskis.

The officials also discussed Latvian-Czech economic cooperation. Dombrovskis thanked the Czech Republic for its contribution to maintaining the Baltic air policing.