Friendly relations between Armenia and Latvia were formed long ago, and bilateral agreements, as well as an Armenian-Latvian business forum scheduled for December 11, are evidence thereof, RA President Serzh Sargsyan told a news conference held jointly with his Latvian counterpart Valdis Zatlers.

“Today, in a constructive atmosphere, we discussed prospects of bilateral cooperation, cooperation within international institutions and the situation in the region,” the Armenian leader said. Serzh Sargsyan stated that the upcoming business forum will contribute to bilateral economic cooperation as well as to cooperation in the tourist industry. “We will see what we can do at the government level,” the Armenian President said. He also underlined the need for bilateral cooperation as part of the Armenia-EU relations and Eastern Partnership. “We are interested in relevant bilateral and regional projects,” Sargsyan said.

The Latvian President, in turn, stressed the progress in bilateral political relations, pointing out that the economic relations need developing as well. In this context, President Zatlers expressed hope that the Armenian-Latvian business forum in Yerevan will prove a success and be followed by a forum in Riga. “Regular meeting between the two countries’ businessmen, as well as the active work of the Intergovernmental Commission to be set up as part of bilateral cooperation are preconditions for intensifying bilateral cooperation,” President Zatlers said. He also stressed that, as an EU member-state, Latvia can contribute to free communication and simplified visa regulations with the EU for Armenia.

T.P.