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Joachim Gauck and Andris Berzins. Berlin 25.10.2012. Photo: president.lv

"It is a matter of great honor and joy to welcome you to Berlin. Yes, the sun is not shining, but I wish to emphasize the fact that relations between Latvia and Germany are very good. We know that we are linked by a wide variety of cultural and historical links," said Gauck.

Gauck thanked Latvia for the intense way in which it takes part in the shaping of European policies, also praising the way in which Latvia demonstrates that the future of a stable Europe is important to it – a future which does not involve a debt burden. "The changes which Latvia experienced involved overcoming the crisis, the emigration of younger generations to the West in search of jobs and uncertainty about the future. In this sense I admire your country, because despite everything it is prepared to support the European Union and accept its stability policies," emphasized the German president.

Berzins said that he was very honored to represent Latvia during a working visit to Germany, adding that in one day's time, he could meet with high-ranking German government officials to discuss all essential matters that are of importance not only to Europe, but also to Latvia. "We are actively following along with what is happening in your country and your views about the future of Europe – something that is most important to Latvia," said Berzins. Turning to ways of overcoming the economic crisis in Europe, Gauck expressed respect for what the Latvian state has done – a process which has involved a great economic burden for local residents, as well as various difficulties that had to be overcome. "We see what is happening in your country, and we understand it very well," he said in admitting that enormous efforts were needed to overcome the crisis. "This is something which offers us essential help at the European level, and we very much welcome this fact."

Gauck asked Berzins about the current situation in Latvia in terms of economic growth, domestic policies, and relations among various nationalities. Berzins replied that Latvia has recovered the pre-crisis level in the economy, but over the past decade it has lost some 300,000 residents – something which has had a very great effect on demographics and on future growth. The president particularly emphasized the need to preserve Latvia's rural environment and the people who live there. Berzins said that Latvia's political stability is found in the countryside, not in large cities. He also admitted that overcoming the crisis and undergoing internal consolidation in Latvia harmed the country’s domestic market: "Exports have reached a certain level of saturation, and in order to move forward, we need investments. It is essential to achieve labor productivity so that the average wage in Latvia draws closer to the European Union's average level over the next decade. That is a matter of survival for Latvia," explained Berzins.

Berzins went on to say that Latvia feels much better right now than the European Union's southern members – those which still face massive debts and are still trying to overcome the economic crisis. He added that it is important for Latvia to change its focus in terms of export markets, looking for new destinations, including ones which relate to independent countries that used to be part of the USSR's territory and are interested in co-operation with Latvia at this time.

Gauck particularly focused on cooperation between Latvia and Germany in the area of education. He stressed Germany’s experience with professional education, saying that Germany has shared its experience with Latvia in this regard and is prepared to continue to do so. Berzins thanked his host for the offer, adding that students in Latvia are already interested in studying at German universities, all the more so because Germany offers practical training on the basis of industrial opportunities.

Gauck, when talking about the development of entrepreneurship in Germany, particularly pointed to medium-sized businesses which helped Germany to overcome the crisis and are presently the foundation for economic growth in that country. The German president also said that Germany is prepared to exchange information at the level of businesspeople so that Latvia can expand entrepreneurial activities. "Germany still has living and traditional links to the Baltic States," he told his guest. "People in the Baltic States are innovative, and the business gene is alive in them."

Talking about the domestic political situation in Latvia and the relationship which exists there between people of various nationalities, Berzins insisted that ever since Latvia’s establishment in 1918, its strength has been unity among nations, along with mutual respect and understanding. He particularly noted that Latvia is unique among all EU member states in terms of having minority schools at which lessons are taught in eight different languages. Gauck asked about the historical roots of Russians in Latvia, and Berzins said that the Russian community, which makes up around 35 percent of the Latvian population at this time, is not homogeneous. He pointed to Old Believers who arrived in Latvia more than 200 years ago, have preserved their faith, traditions and language, and are also loyal to the Latvian state. All in all, the president said that relations among various nationalities at the human level are very good, and negations which are often presented in the public arena are actually produced by several radical groups of politicians – ones which thus try to enhance their political capital.

Berzins said that a particularly important job for him as president has been the attempt to strengthen consolidation in society, particularly in terms of the consequences of World War II. "The problem is not with those who fought on the front lines and are now more than 80 years old," pointed out the president. "The problems are created artificially by politicians who try to use these veterans in an attempt to strengthen their own political careers."

In terms of the relationship between Latvia and Russia, Berzins emphasized that it is very positive in economic terms even though there are sometimes other political moods than are truly manifested in economic areas. The president also said that there is much potential for economic cooperation with Russia, as indicated by the current trends.

Berzins also invited his German colleague to visit Latvia, and Gauck accepted the invitation.