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Edgars Rinkevics and Vladimir Makei. Minsk, 19.02.2015. Photo: flickr.com

Given that the Eastern Partnership, including Belarus, is one of priorities for Latvia's Presidency, Latvia is interested in achieving progress in the relations between the EU and Belarus, especially in the field of visa facilitation. The discussion also addressed the security climate in the region, especially in the eastern Ukraine.

Edgars Rinkevics highlighted the potential of the relations between the EU and Belarus, the balanced position of Belarus on Ukraine and the efforts of promoting the resolution of the crisis by diplomatic means.

Foreign Minister Rinkevics positively evaluated the agreements reached in Minsk in the Normandy format and indicated, however, that the actual implementation of these agreements will be decisive – the ceasefire must be observed by all the parties to the conflict. At the same time it must be realised that Russia's increasing military activity contributes to the deterioration of the security conditions in the region and therefore, NATO is forced to respond by boosting its security measures. In future, Latvia will be seeking cooperation that enhances security in the region. It is also important that international financial support be continued to facilitate Ukraine's economic recovery and reform implementation.

Edgars Rinkevics called on the Government of Belarus to work actively so that, at the Riga Summit, the EU-Belarus agreements on visa facilitation and readmission could be initialled and a declaration signed on the establishment of the EU-Belarus Mobility Partnership.

The Minister commended the efforts of Belarus to promote multilateral cooperation in the framework of the Eastern partnership, including proposals for the harmonisation of the digital market between the EU and the Eastern Partnership countries.

During the meeting, the bilateral relations between Latvia and Belarus were also discussed, including the political dialogue, business and cross-border cooperation, cooperation in the border management, agriculture, environmental protection, education, science, culture and other areas.

Both officials concurred that the agenda of cooperation and relations between Latvia and Belarus are intensive, constructive and yield good results. Foreign Minister Rinkevics said that Latvia was interested in business cooperation, especially in transport and transit. Latvia wishes to cooperate in the field of environmental protection both in bilateral and multilateral format, and that includes the signing of a quadrilateral agreement between Latvia, Belarus, Russia and the EU on the protection and use of water resources in the Daugava river basin.