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Cooperation between Latvia and Armenia has been developing dynamically, and Latvia is interested in shaping close and comprehensive relations between the two countries in politics and economy. This was stated by Inese Lībiņa-Egnere, Deputy Speaker of the Saeima, when she met with Hovik Abrahamyan, President of the National Assembly of Armenia, during her working visit to Armenia.

The two countries are united by common historical experience, mutual understanding, as well as a sound legal framework that can underpin further cooperation between Latvia and Armenia in education, tourism and culture, said Lībiņa-Egnere.

Both sides agreed that exchange of political visits, including this one, strengthens bilateral relations and boosts economic cooperation.

Deputy Speaker Lībiņa-Egnere noted that political contacts and parliamentary diplomacy play an important role in furthering bilateral relations; she also highlighted the successful parliamentary cooperation between Latvia and Armenia as attested by an intensive exchange of high-level visits. “Your official visit with the accompanying delegation of the National Assembly to the Saeima is still vivid in our memories. I am certain that your visit added a considerable impetus for even more intensive parliamentary cooperation and bilateral relations,” pointed out Lībiņa-Egnere.

Andrejs Klementjevs, Deputy Speaker of the Saeima, said that this visit to Armenia by the Latvian parliamentary delegation also attests to the great potential of bilateral cooperation and the desire of both countries to take advantage of it.

During the meeting, Lībiņa-Egnere called on her Armenian colleagues to borrow Latvia’s experience in implementing reforms and European integration, as she confirmed the Saeima’s readiness to arrange and host specific study visits dedicated, inter alia, to improving the legislative process and the parliamentary scrutiny of the government.

When discussing the economic cooperation between Latvia and Armenia, Deputy Speaker Lībiņa-Egnere emphasised that Latvian entrepreneurs are actively searching for new cooperation opportunities. “This area holds an enormous potential for both countries. Latvia boasts of a strategic geographic location with well-developed port and transit infrastructure that bridges the East with the single market of the EU,” said Lībiņa-Egnere.

Latvia’s representatives stated that in 2015, Latvia for the first time will assume the presidency of the Council of the European Union, and one of our country’s priorities will be the Eastern Partnership whose summit Latvia plans to  hold.

The Latvian delegation also indicated that Riga will be the European Capital of Culture next year and encouraged Armenian colleagues to visit Latvia during that time.

From 21 to 25 October, Inese Lībiņa-Egnere, Deputy Speaker of the Saeima, is on a working visit to the Republic of Armenia. On her visit, the Deputy Speaker Lībiņa-Egnere is accompanied by Andrejs Klementjevs, her fellow Deputy Speaker of the Saeima, and Dana Reizniece-Ozola, member of the Legal Affairs Committee. During the visit, the delegation is also meeting with Edward Nalbandian, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and His Holiness Garegin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.

Saeima Press Service