On 13 February State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Zayats visited Riga upon the invitation of the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia, Andrejs Pildegovičs. During their meeting they discussed the bilateral agenda for the near future and cooperation within international organizations. The newly appointed State Secretary of the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine briefed his Latvian counterpart on the recent developments in the East of Ukraine and conditions, necessary to achieve progress in the Minsk process.

The support by the Latvian parliament and the development of interregional contacts between the countries, as a prerequisite for effective implementation of reforms, was in focus during a meeting with members of the Saeima’s group for interparliamentary relations with Ukraine. The Chairman of the group, member of the parliament Ainārs Mežulis dwelt on humanitarian dimension of his projects in Ukraine, in particular the aid to the Chernihiv orphan house.

The reformation of the public administration  aiming at meeting the best interests of citizens and efficiency of governmental policies was discussed at a meeting between Mr Zayats and Director of the State Chancellery of the Republic of Latvia Mārtiņš Krieviņš (the opposite number of the Minister of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine). The Ukrainian side extended appreciation for transition of Latvian useful experience in public administration reforms and interestedness to continue this cooperation in order to promote the implementation of best practices in Ukraine.  

On the occasion of the 25^th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between Ukraine and the Republic of Latvia, marked on 12 February, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia hosted a public discussion “25 Years of Diplomatic Relations between Latvia and Ukraine – Achievements and the Way Ahead”. The event was attended by experts, diplomatic corps, journalists and students of the University of Latvia – addressing them the State Secretaries shared their vision of bilateral relations priorities.

Andrejs Pildegovičs emphasized inadmissibility of violation of internationally recognized borders, supported territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, its European integration aspirations, interestedness in the development of mutual projects in transit and transportation.  In his turn, Andrii Zayats underlined the importance of solidarity with Ukraine and high assessment by the Ukrainian society of Latvia’s humanitarian projects and assistance in reforms.