Azernews.Az

By Amina Nazarli

Latvia has voiced its intention to strengthen its relations with Azerbaijan as the country sees broad potential for it.

Latvian President Raimonds Vējonis Ambassador made the remark while receiving credentials of Azerbaijani Ambassador Javanshir Akhundov.

The sides underlined expansion of bilateral ties in the transport sector, which is very important for bilateral economic relations, Azertac reports.

Vējonis stressed that the two countries has friendship relations and Latvia is interested in further strengthening of cooperation with Azerbaijan in all areas.

The Latvian president voiced his intention to visit Azerbaijan in 2017, which will see the Azerbaijani-Latvian business forum.

The president reaffirmed his country`s support to Azerbaijan`s stance on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, stressing that Latvia has supported and will always support the position of Baku on the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Akhundov, for his part, said Azerbaijan appreciated Latvia`s unwavering position on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

He also emphasized that Latvia will host the Days of Azerbaijani Culture in 2017.

Akhundov also had a meeting with Speaker of the Latvian Saeima Inara Murnietse, who has called Azerbaijan an important partner of her country in the South Caucasus.

“The two countries established a constructive political dialogue, which should be developed also at the parliamentary level,” she emphasized.

The Saeima speaker expressed Latvia's interest in expanding cooperation in the sphere of transport and logistics, and involving Azerbaijan in the implementation of investment projects in Riga.

Akhundov, for his part, noted the necessity of deepening and expanding ties in the fields of trade and economy, promoting business contacts and finding effective forms of cooperation.

Referring to the situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict area, the Ambassador briefed Inara Murnietse on a recent internationally mediated meeting between the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents in Vienna.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijan and Latvia plan to discuss the economic cooperation as part of a meeting of the intergovernmental commission to be held in Riga on June 14-15.

Latvia's Ambassador to Azerbaijan Yuris Maklakovs told Trend that during the meeting the sides will discuss the possibility of expanding the bilateral trade, increasing the investments and other issues.

Latvia recognized Azerbaijan’s independence in 1992. Bilateral diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1994 and the Azerbaijani Embassy in Latvia began to function in 2005, and the Latvian Embassy in Azerbaijan was opened a year later.

Azerbaijan attaches great importance to cooperation with Latvia within regional organizations, including the Union of the Baltic States. Latvia considers Azerbaijan to be Europe’s main source for energy resources in the Black Sea-Caspian region.

Azerbaijan-Latvia trade turnover amounted to $2.04 million in January-March 2016, this is 5.9 percent more than in the same period of 2015, according to the Azerbaijani State Customs Committee.

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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli

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