Baltic States – CIS, Economics, EU – Baltic States, Latvia, Markets and Companies

In an interview with LETA, Bikis said that Latvia's national economy must be directed towards the system where it is at the moment – the EU, Baltic region and Scandinavian markets. He said that these regions have a common understanding of quality.

However, he also believes it would not be right not to use the Russian market. ''We must work in this market, while at the same remembering that it is a high risk market. Companies must also understand that Russia cannot be their sole export market,'' Bikis said.

''Trade contacts also help even-up political thinking. I we wish to show Russia our Western values, then by working together with Russian partners we will be able to help show them the advantages of democracy and Latvia's growth,'' he said, adding that if Latvia has more growth and a high standard of living than in Russia, it will be able to demonstrate Western advantages.

Asked how much damage the Russian sanctions caused Latvia's economy, he said that it is time to stop complaining and doubting the future. ''If we analyze the previous year and all the predictions we heard from so-called ''experts'' that transit cargo shipments will be halter, the tourism industry will suffers and so on, we actually are seeing the opposite – there is an increase in construction and transportation, as well as in tourism. Of course, there are some separate companies going through some problems. But if a company wishes to work in just one direction, they are not very forward-looking,'' said Bikis.