Foreign Ministers of Latvia and Israel give positive valuation to development of bilateral relations
By admin at 13 July, 2010, 4:50 pm
On 5 July, Foreign Minister Aivis Ronis met with Avigdor Lieberman, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the State of Israel, who was on a working visit to Latvia.
Foreign Minister Ronis expressed satisfaction that the period of 18 years since the establishment of diplomatic relation has seen a dynamic development of the contacts between Latvia and Israel. The Foreign Ministers of Latvia and Israel emphasised the ongoing active political co-operation, also at the highest level. The Latvian side reiterated an invitation by the President of Latvia to the President of the State of Israel, Shimon Peres, to make a visit to Latvia. At the same time, the ministers also noted the multifaceted development of parliamentary contacts and a close co-operation between the cultural and educational workers. Minister Ronis expressed appreciation of the active work by the Jewish community of Latvia.
Foreign Minister Aivis Ronis emphasised that Latvia sees further deepening of economic relations and enhancing the business potential of both countries as a priority in Latvian-Israeli relations. The ministers agreed that in the nearest future a visit to Latvia has to be planned for the Israeli Minister of Industry, Commerce and Labour, Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, and the Minister of Tourism Stas Misezhnikov, together with a business delegation. Between Latvia and Israel, a favourable bilateral legislative base has been established for the development of economic relations, and 15 intergovernmental agreements have been concluded since 4 May 1990.
When discussing the issues of the Middle East region, Foreign Minister Ronis expressed the common position of the European Union, as well as stressed that peace in the Middle East can be achieved only through negotiations. “Latvia welcomes the decision by the Israeli government and the Palestinian National Authority to continue indirect peace talks mediated by the United States. We hope that the indirect talks will grow into a direct dialogue. We value positively the decision by the Israeli government as of 20 June to relax conditions for the Gaza Strip border crossing,” Minister Ronis indicated. The Minister noted that the decision is to be regarded as a step in the right direction that would become a starting point for a sustainable solution to the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. Mr Ronis commended the Israeli initiative to establish a commission for the investigation of the attack on the Gaza aid flotilla, and to include international experts in the commission. Foreign Minister Ronis also invited the Israeli side to provide a list of items that cannot be imported into the Gaza Strip. During the discussion, the Latvian Foreign Minister expressed support to the commitment by the EU High Representative to facilitate the progress of the Middle East peace process.
This will be the first visit of an Israeli Foreign Minister to Latvia since the establishment of diplomatic relations on 6 January 1992.
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