YEREVAN. – At the invitation of the head of the Latvian Saeima (Parliament), an Armeian delegation, led by National Assembly (NA) Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan, started its official visit to Latvia on Tuesday.  

The delegation’s first meeting was with Speaker Solvita Āboltiņa of the Saeima of Latvia, the NA press service informs.

Āboltiņa highly appreciated the political relations between both countries. She considered it necessary to develop interparliamentary cooperation, and expressed a hope that Abrahamyan’s visit will stimulate bilateral collaboration. Āboltiņa also informed that the Latvian Saeima’s friendship group with Armenia’s NA is one of the largest groups in the Latvian parliament. She highly evaluated the pace of development in Armenia-EU relations and expressed willingness to convey the Latvian track-record in European integration. The Latvian parliament leader also underscored the need to develop economic ties, and highlighted the cooperation within the EU Eastern Partnership and the interaction within international organizations.   

In his turn, Hovik Abrahamyan expressed confidence that cooperation between Armenia and Latvia will further develop. He drew attention to the deepening of interparliamentary relations, and stated that the Armenian-Latvian political agenda is quite eventful.

Abrahamyan noted that the Armenian NA has an Armenia-Latvia parliamentary friendship group, and noted that Armenia-EU relations are very active. The Armenian Parliament leader expressed confidence that the initializing of the Association Agreement with European Union—during the EU Eastern Partnership summit to be held in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, in November—will bring a new quality to bilateral ties.   

“On May 16, Armenia assumed the Chairmanship of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers. This is a great responsibility, and an opportunity to have our own contribution in addressing the challenges which the organization faces. I would like to announce Armenia’s readiness to engage in the forming of the Eastern Partnership agenda,” he said.   

In terms of promoting trade and economic cooperation, the parties underscored the activities of the Armenian-Latvian Intergovernmental Commission.  

The interlocutors also reflected on regional matters, the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations. Abrahamyan noted that the year 2015 will mark the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and, in this context, he expressed a hope that Latvia likewise will recognize and condemn this crime that was committed against humanity. 

In addition, Abrahamyan invited Āboltiņa to Armenia on an official visit, and the head of the Latvian parliament accepted this invitation. 

Following their talk, Hovik Abrahamyan and Solvita Āboltiņa made a statement for the media.  

Also, the leaders of the parliaments of both countries paid a visit to The Freedom Monument, which symbolizes the independence of Latvia.  

On the same day, the Armenian delegation, led by NA Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan, met with Mayor Nils Ušakovs of Riga. Abrahamyan gave a positive assessment to the cooperation between the Armenian and the Latvian capitals, Yerevan and Riga. In his turn, Ušakovs informed that Riga is declared the cultural capital of Europe for 2014, and, in this connection, he stated that he expects Yerevan Municipality’s participation in the festive events that are planned.