Baltic, Energy, Financial Services, Investments, Latvia, USA

Hillary Clinton and Andris Berzins. New York, 23.09.2014. Photo: president.lv

During the ceremony, Berzins thanked Clinton for her contribution to the improvement of Latvia's strategic partnership with the United States, stressing that economic cooperation is currently a very important aspect in both countries' relations, as the U.S. investments play an important role in Latvia's economy.

Clinton said that the involvement of U.S. investors in Latvia's financial sector is a strong stimulus to other U.S. companies to invest in Latvian and Baltic economy sectors, including in the energy sector.

In discussing the impact of Russian-Ukrainian conflict on the Baltic region's security, Berzins stressed that due to the current situation, the Baltic States have began a much closer and focused cooperation in regard to security, emphasizing the role of the United States as a reliable strategic partner.

When sharing memories about the former U.S. President Bill Clinton's visit in Latvia 20 years ago, Clinton emphasized the positive emotions she felt in Riga, adding that the independence of the Baltic nations had been an important topic to her since her school years, when she learned about it from her teacher while living in Chicago, which has a strong community of Latvian emigrants.