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Masaaki Yamazaki and Andris Berzins. Riga, 16.07.2014. Photo: president.lv

Berzins and Yamazaki agreed that the relations between Latvia and Japan were friendly and constructive, the President's Press Office informed LETA. "We have a high opinion of your country's achievements in all areas, particularly in economy. There is much for Latvia to learn from Japan," Berzins said.

Berzins emphasized the importance of the establishment of new contacts between both countries, and told Yamazaki of a recent visit to Latvia by Masayuki Oku, the vice-president of the Japan Business Federation.

Speaking of economic cooperation, Berzins said that Latvia could offer Japan transit services via Latvian ports to the C.I.S. countries and Northern Europe. He mentioned investment in Latvia by the Japanese company Mitsui Corporation last year, and urged other Japanese companies to choose to invest in Latvia.

The officials also discussed cooperation in culture and education. Many residents of Latvia are interested in learning Japanese and in studying in Japan, said Berzins, also inviting Japanese students to come and study in Riga. Yamazaki in turn said he was greatly impressed by Riga's achievements as the European Culture of Capital. The Latvian-Japanese cooperation in culture is excellent, agreed the officials, noting performances by Latvian choirs in Japan and vice versa, relations between sister cities in both countries, and exhibitions by artists from both countries.

Saeima Chairwoman Solvita Aboltina (Unity) also met with Yamazaki yesterday to discuss economic cooperation and political dialog between Latvia and Japan, as well as both countries' cooperation in culture. Yamazaki invited Aboltina to visit Tokyo when Japan will be hosting the Olympic Games in 2020.