Latvia is ready to help Armenia integrate into the European market, Latvian President Valdis Zatlers stated at an Armenian-Latvian business forum yesterday.

He also pointed out Latvia’s readiness to facilitate the process of Armenia’s integration with Europe. In this context he stressed that 60 Latvian businessmen that have arrived in Armenia are interested in the Armenian market. “Although geographically far from each other, our countries have numerous fields for bilateral cooperation, which is especially topical amid the crisis,” Zatlers said. According to him, the crisis suggests the need for cooperating in achieving economic progress. The Latvian leader stressed that the two states are not realizing their potential for bilateral cooperation, and business forums like this open up new opportunities, as Armenia and Latvia have something to learn from each other. He also expressed hope for a larger number of programs and joint ventures. The Latvian leader expressed his country’s willingness for opening its ports for Armenia to export its products to Europe. According to him, Armenia can be a link between Scandinavia and the East. Latvian businessmen expressed their readiness to help their Armenian colleagues close win-win deals with western businessmen.

Armenia and Latvia are among the states worst affected by the global crisis.

T.P.