Baltic States – CIS, EU – Baltic States, Latvia, Legislation, USA

Edgars Rinkevics and Alain Hausser. Riga, 11.02.2015. Photo: flickr.com

During the meeting, Rinkevics said that Latvia highly valued the support provided by Canada for the strengthening of the security of NATO’s allies in eastern Europe as Canada continues its participation in the Baltic Air Policing Mission this year as well as offering support for the NATO Center of Excellence for Strategic Communications in Riga.

The minister and the ambassador concurred that the EU and Canada should closely cooperate to facilitate the stabilization of the political and economic situation in Ukraine, LETA was informed by the Foreign ministry.

Foreign Minister Rinkevics and Ambassador Hausser noted that the signing of the EU-Canada Comprehensive Trade and Economic Agreement (CETA) under the current geopolitical conditions will be a very welcome signal of the unity of transatlantic partners and will bring mutual economic benefits to Europe and Canada.

Rinkevics also thanked Canada for its support in the context of Latvia’s accession to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). During the meeting the potential for cooperation between Latvia and Canada was emphasized, especially in the sectors of aviation and mineral exploration. The diplomats highly appreciated the active exchange of visits, especially in light of the visit to Latvia by the Foreign Minister of Canada, John Baird, in April 2014 and the visit to Canada by Andris Berzins, the President of Latvia, in September 2013.

Other topics discussed were Latvia’s priorities for its Presidency of the Council of the EU, the Eastern Partnership Summit in Riga, and the fight against terrorism.

Ambassador Hausser began his diplomatic career with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Canada in 1995. He has worked at the Representation of Canada to the European Union, and Canadian embassies in Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands, the ministry informs.