Baltic States – CIS, EU – Baltic States, Financial Services, Latvia, Legislation, Ukraine

The Foreign Ministry's press secretary Karlis Eihenbaums told LETA that in 2014, the state allocated EUR 20,000 in technical aid to Ukraine. Following Ukraine's request, Latvia organized operational seminars-visits to inform about regional reforms, electronic administration, corruption prevention, energy efficiency, and dairy industry. The said seminars were attended by state officials and representatives from non-governmental organizations.

The ministry's representative said that in 2014, Latvia provided its euro integration experience to the Chernihiv Region Council's delegation, whereas Dnipropetrovsk Council delegation acquired experience in energy efficiency, standardization, and certification matters. In September 2014, a delegation from the Ministry of Regional Development of Ukraine visited Latvia to acquire experience in electronic administration, while in November, a Ukrainian delegation participated in a seminar in Riga on corruption prevention.

One of the main priorities of the Latvian government in regard to Eastern Partnership countries, including Ukraine, was a study program on international economy policy and legal matters, designed for representatives of public administration and civil community in Central Asia and Eastern Partnership countries.

Latvia has also supplied Ukraine with humanitarian aid by sending medication and electricity generators to victims in east Ukraine, and provided treatment to 20 injured persons from Ukraine in Latvian hospitals.

A volunteer doctor from Latvia went to Ukraine this year to provide free eye prostheses to injured Ukrainian soldiers.

Latvia is ready to consider further aid to Ukraine, said Eihenbaums.