President Zatlers: Development of Relations between Latvia and Serbia Has a Tremendous Potential in All Areas
By admin at 20 July, 2010, 3:25 pm
Today, July 13, in Belgrade started the state visit to Serbia by the President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers and Mrs Lilita Zatlere. During the first visit in history by the President of Latvia, Valdis Zatlers met with his colleague President Boris Tadic after the official welcome ceremony at the Palace of Serbia.
At the talks of delegations both parties appreciated the significance of the visit by Valdis Zatlers in developing the relations between Latvia and Serbia. President Tadic thanked Latvia for supporting Serbia’s efforts to join European Union (EU) with a special gratification for the ratification of the Stabilization and Association Agreement of European Union and Serbia, which is expected in Saeima.
President of Latvia stressed that “Riga and Belgrade are only a bit more than a two hour flight apart and both countries have possibilities to advance the bilateral co-operation by developing the business relations, using Latvia’s ports and transit of Riga airports, as well as helping Serbia on its way to EU. Latvia has both EU member state and candidate state experience. It can be useful to Serbia”. During the meeting presidents discussed the economic situation of recent years in both countries. President of Serbia also accepted the invitation from Valdis Zatlers to visit Latvia in order to make the relations of both countries more active. The issues of politics and security in West Balkan region were also discussed.
During the meeting with the Prime Minister of Serbia Mirko Cvetkovic a great attention was given to the experience of both countries in overcoming the economic and financial crisis. The head of Serbia’s government particularly took interest in measures for the recovery of the economics of Latvia. He also was interested in the development of forest and telecommunication areas in Latvia. President of Latvia informed him about the possibilities offered by the ports of Latvia.
In order to develop the business relations between both countries, Valdis Zatlers participated in Serbia-Latvia business forum. He thanked the entrepreneurs of Serbia and Latvia for taking part, stressing that in the period of economic recovery new opportunities of co-operation arise that the entrepreneurs have to take, especially if they are connected with new and unexplored markets. President of Latvia stressed that at the moment EU is the biggest export market of Latvia and with the efforts of Serbia to join this regional organization, co-operation of Latvia and Serbia has even greater significance. In his address, President suggested to actively form contacts with the entrepreneurs of Latvia, who represent the areas of air transport for passengers, environmental infrastructure, pharmaceutical and information technologies.
During the visit Valdis Zatlers met with the President of the National Assembly of Serbia Slavica Dikic-Dejanovic. They discussed the parliamentary co-operation of both countries, stressing that the experience of Latvian colleagues in moving towards the EU membership is essential to the Serb parliamentarians. The President of the National Assembly was particularly interested in the parliamentary co-operation in the areas of health, education and science.
Today, during the visit, Mrs Lilita Zatlere visited Association of People with Disorders of Mental Development “Living Together” and got acquainted with the culture and history of Serbia by visiting the Ethnographic Museum of Serbia and the Residence of Princess Ljubica.
In the evening Valdis Zatlers and his wife will participate in the official dinner hosted by the President of Serbia in honour of the President of Latvia and his wife.
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