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Angela Merkel and Andris Berzins. Riga, 18.08.2014. Photo: president.lv

Germany is a very important cooperation partner of Latvia in many areas, and Merkel's visit to Riga attests to the excellent bilateral relations between the two countries, said Berzins.

"Germany is one of our main cooperation partners, and there is every reason to expect it to become one of the leading cooperation partners in the future," the president said.

Speaking about Russia's food embargo, Berzins said that the move by Russia had caused fundamental changes. The West must continue to apply pressure on Russia, even if it may cause significant economic losses. The president added he hoped Latvian food companies could find new cooperation partners at several upcoming fairs.

Merkel confirmed to Berzins that Article 5 of NATO Treaty was still effective and that Germany would help Latvia in several areas, including in the development of military infrastructure. The president declined to say whether Merkel had confirmed Germany's military presence in the Baltic countries, adding that this was a complex matter that would be discussed during the NATO summit.

"Germany will do everything in its power to ensure the protection of the borders of Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania and Poland," said Berzins.

Most of the meeting dealt with the security situation in the region and increasing the presence of NATO in the Baltic countries, the President's Press Chancery told LETA. Latvia has a high opinion of Germany and Merkel's contribution to security in the region and seeking peaceful solutions to the crisis in eastern Ukraine, said Berzins.

The Latvian president also said that Latvia would continue to consolidate its security and defense capacity in cooperation with the Baltic countries and Poland, and continue to increase defense spending until it reaches 2% of gross domestic product.

Merkel admitted that the security situation in the Baltic region had changed dramatically since Russia's incursion in Ukraine.

"It is incredible that Russia has renewed its old thinking in the territorial context not only rhetorically, but also practically," said Merkel, stressing that the EU agreement on sanctions was the right action, which proved the common European position and firm opinion on this issue.

"My goal is to bring Ukraine to Europe as a single country, not a divided one," indicated Merkel. At the same time she stressed the importance of unity in Europe.

Latvia has implemented impressive reforms in all areas and joined the euro zone, said Merkel, and offered close cooperation with Germany when Latvia would hold the Presidency of the Council of the EU.

Berzins invited Merkel to visit the Latvian pavilion at "International Green Week Berlin 2015" next January where Latvia would be a partner of the exhibition organizers. Berzins will attend the opening event with an introductory speech at the fair.