Baltic States – CIS, Latvia, Legislation, Markets and Companies, Transport, Ukraine

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During the meeting, the Heads of Government discussed the cooperation in the fields of transport, logistics, agriculture, forestry and education. L. Straujuma and A. Yatsenyuk discussed the possibilities to expand the ZUBR transport corridor by increasing the volume of freight traffic between northern Europe and the Black Sea through Latvia. Currently, Ukraine is the seventh largest trading partner of Latvia outside the EU.  According to L. Straujuma, there are certainly ample opportunities for the future.

The two parties expressed satisfaction with the good co-operation in the area of education and culture. Currently, more than 250 young people from Ukraine are studying in Latvia. The Prime Minister also confirmed Latvia’s readiness to help Ukraine by sharing its experience in public administration and forest reforms, and other issues. The Prime Minister of Ukraine extended an invitation to the Head of Government of Latvia to visit Kiev next year.

After the meeting, the officials unveiled the monument to the Ukrainian poet and artist Taras Shevchenko in Kronvalda park in Rīga. At the opening ceremony, L. Straujuma said that for the Ukrainian people Shevchenko’s contribution to shaping national consciousness is equal to contribution by Auseklis, Pumpurs, Rainis and Aspazija for the people of Latvia. It follows that the Latvian and Ukrainian people are united not only by culture, but also by quest for freedom. L.Straujuma expressed gratitude to the Ukrainian Association in Latvia for organizing the installation of the monument, and stressed that she believes in the future of both countries, in freedom of Ukraine and Latvian-Ukrainian friendship.