Latvia expresses a staunchest support of Ukraine and will continue the sanctions policy against the aggressor country because of the annexation of  Crimea and the situation in Donbas. This was one of the issues discussed during the meeting of Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman with Speaker of the Saeima of Latvia Ināra Mūrniece, who arrived on a visit to Ukraine.

"The territorial integrity of Ukraine is of paramount importantce for us. We stick to a stringent policy of condemnation of Russia's violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and annexation of Crimea. Sanctions are very important and will be maintained until  Russia complies with the Minsk agreements", Ināra Mūrniece stressed.

"We feel the support of Latvia in the international arena, in issues of the sovereignty of Ukraine and  the annexation of Crimea. Thank you for understanding of the common threats posed by  Russia", the Prime Minister said in response.

In the context of such threats, the parties discussed a number of topical issues, including the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, as well as the construction of the Kerch Strait Bridge which violates all international legal norms and poses a direct threat to Ukrainian security, economic and environmental interests.

"Building of the Kerch Strait Bridge in Crimea cannot be approved by any civilized norms", the Speaker of the Saeima of Latvia emphasized.

"We will spare no effort to condemn Russia's illegal actions against Ukraine in international courts. We began to receive courts decisions that are fair. They testify all impudent crimes of Russia", Volodymyr Groysman claimed.

He assured that Kyiv was and remains a reliable partner of Latvia and  of the whole international community - both from the perspective of political values and fulfillment of economic obligations, including transit of gas to European consumers.

"The attempt to build the Nord Stream 2 is Russian endeavor to make all partners be dependent on the energy supply. This project does not encapsulateeconomic issues, only politics. There is a Ukrainian GTS designed to  provide European consumers with gas  and it is 100% capable of fulfilling all obligations", the Prime Minister added.

 In the course of the meeting the sides emphasized the positive indicators of bilateral trade. On the outcomes of 2017 the trade turnover increased by 27% and made up USD 461.6 million

"We are counting on enhancing cooperation in the real sector of the economy, first of all, in the field of agriculture and infrastructure",  the Head of Government underscored.

Background

March 1-2, 2018, Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman was on visit to Latvia. The Head of Government held a series of meeting, inter alia with the President of Latvia Raimonds Vējonis and Prime Minister of Latvia Māris Kučinskis.

The delegations of the two countries agreed to intensify political dialogue and increase economic cooperation in the context of mutual trade turnover, as well as of implementation of joint projects on the markets of third countries. At present, the parties are commending  a good level of economic cooperation, the growth of bilateral trade and are counting on the intensification of investment cooperation.