EU – Baltic States, Forum, Latvia, Legislation, Markets and Companies

At the meeting with Thomas Yayi Boni. Brussels, 3.04.2014. Photo: flickr.com

Africa really strives to implement the principles and values of democracy in their countries – this was confirmed by representatives of all states during the negotiations, reported BC advisor to the Prime Minister for public relations affairs Andis Blinds.

In addition, many African countries are interested in developing the cooperation particularly with Latvia. Thus, this summit provided us with the opportunity to get acquainted with representatives of different African countries and to discuss in person the extension of mutual relationship,” says Prime Laimdota Straujuma. ”Latvia is interested in cooperation with the African countries in the fields of trade, education and culture, well as within the framework of international organizations”.

Today, the Prime Minister met Minister for Foreign Affairs of Egypt Nabil Fahmy, Prime Minister of Ethiopia Hailemariam Desalegn and President of Benin Thomas Yayi Boni.

The main topics discussed with the Heads of African States were promoting the cooperation in the fields of economy, culture and education, as well as the situation in Africa and security issues. During the meeting with the Minister for Foreign Affairs Nabil Fahmy the legal proceedings of Latvian-Australian citizen Pēteris Greste were discussed.

Within the framework of the summit, Prime Minister Laimdota Straujuma delivered a speech at the session ”People”. In her address, the Prime Minister drew attention to the importance of social inclusion and human resource development in the context of the European Union and the African continent.  At the end of speech, the Prime Minister referred to words by the former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela by saying, ”To be free, it is not enough to liberate oneself from one’s own shackles; one should live in way that respects and enhances the freedom of others”. 

The EU-Africa Summit is the most important event in the dialogue between the two parties held once every three years. The next EU-Africa Summit will be held in 2017. The summit was held in three sessions in line with the priorities – "Peace and Security", "Prosperity" and "People", which are included in the theme of the summit "Investing in People, Prosperity and Peace".

At the conclusion of the summit, the declaration and the strategic framework for cooperation among the parties for the period until the next summit in 2017 were approved, as well as the declaration on migration and mobility.