Economics, Good for Business, Latvia, Port, Transport

Scott Heatherington and Solvita Aboltina. Riga, 16.02.2011. Photo: saeima.lv

''Relations between Latvia and Canada have historically been very good, with cooperation on the parliamentary level especially active the past several years,'' Aboltina said. In January of last year, the Speaker of the Canadian Senate Noel A. Kinsella visited Latvia, whilst in 2008, then Saeima Speaker Gundars Daudze (Union of Greens and Farmers) visited Canada. Aboltina accented that economic cooperation between Latvia and Canada is one of the areas still with much room for development.

During the meeting, the ambassador praised the Latvian military's contribution to the mission in Afghanistan. The Saeima speaker confirmed that Latvia, as a NATO member, is prepared to continue fulfilling its obligations, thus the Latvian contingent's mandate to continue participating in the peace-keeping mission in Afghanistan has been extended.

Aboltina also invited Canada to consider using Latvia as a transit country to send non-military goods to Afghanistan. Heatherington confirmed Canada will evaluate the possibility of sending goods to its troops in Afghanistan using the Northern Transit Corridor through Latvia. The ambassador went on to say that Riga Port has received good reviews in regard to the transport of goods to Afghanistan.