Baltic States – CIS, EU – Baltic States, Investments, Latvia, Legislation, Markets and Companies

Laimdota Straujuma and Angela Merkel. Riga, 18.08.2014. Photo: flickr.com

”I would like to express gratitude to Mrs Merkel for finding an opportunity to come to Latvia to discuss the topics, which are important for Latvia and Germany,” stressed Prime Minister Laimdota Straujuma.

Within the framework of the meeting, the Heads of Government discussed the active political and economic cooperation between Latvia and Germany. Angela Merkel congratulated Latvia on its accession to the euro area and expressed appreciation for the ability to successfully restore economy after the deep crisis. “The economic reforms implemented by the Latvian government deserve deep admiration, and I particularly appreciate the Latvian society that bore the brunt of it,” stressed Angela Merkel.

Discussing the security issues in the region, the Prime Minister expressed the view that there is the need for long-term presence of NATO’s Allies in the Baltic region because Russia’s activities have substantionally changed the security environment in Europe. The Federal Chancellor emphasized that Latvia is a Member State of NATO, and if necessary, Article 5 of the Treaty will definitely be applied. Germany supports active presence of NATO’s Allies in different manoeuvres in Latvia, and on August 20 will take over the airspace surveillance of Latvia.

L.Straujuma also informed Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel about the forthcoming Latvia’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union and mentioned its priority areas for action – strengthening the competitiveness of the European Union, the digital environment issues, as well as strengthening the role of the European Union in the world, and particularly the Eastern Partnership. Angela Merkel noted that such an agenda is in line with the future plan to position the European Union as powerful in the digital area.

Discussing the climate policy of the European Union up to 2030, the Prime Minister stressed that the agreement on the policy has to be reached in October 2014, but in order to ensure it, a clear division of labour among the Member States is required, taking into account the individual situation of each Member State.

The Prime Minister emphasized the need to connect the Baltic States to the gas and electricity networks of the rest of the European Union as soon as possible.

Within the framework of the visit, a discussion with entrepreneurs who implement the economic cooperation between Latvia and Germany was also held. During the discussion, the entrepreneurs emphasized the increasing role of vocational education in developing successful and competitive entrepreneurship in the future, and pointed out that the adopted positive experience of Germany in dual education has borne fruit also in Latvia. The two Heads of Government expressed satisfaction over the fact that Latvia is one of the major trade partners and investors of Latvia. Similarly, the survey of entrepreneurs carried out by the German-Baltic Chamber of Commerce shows very positive outlook for future expansion of German companies’ activities in Latvia. At the end of discussion, the Federal Chancellor expressed conviction that Latvia is a good place for foreign, including German, investments.