Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Marija Pejčinović Burić paid a two-day official visit to the Republic of Latvia, which this year celebrates a centenary of its independence.
Croatia and Latvia foster friendly relations based on mutual early recognition and understanding and on Latvia’s support for Croatia along its path to the EU and NATO membership.
Pejčinović Burić and Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevičs discussed the prospects of establishing stronger bilateral ties, notably in industry, tourism, defence and culture, as well as joint twinning projects. They exchanged opinions on current issues concerning the EU, especially Brexit, the future of Europe and the multiannual financial framework. The Croatian FM informed the Latvian side about Croatia’s preparations for accession to the Schengen Area, the eurozone and the OECD. In light of Croatia’s chairmanship of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2020, Rinkevičs said that his country was willing to continue transferring its experience. The two officials agreed that security and support for the countries of Southeast Europe and the Eastern Partnership were of great importance for Europe’s stability. They also exchanged views on the forthcoming NATO summit.
Pejčinović Burić also met with Latvian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Arvils Ašeradens, with whom she discussed economic cooperation, with the focus on energy and tourism.
The meetings with Inese Libina-Egnere, the head of the group for interparliamentary relations with Croatia, and Lolita Cigane, chair of the Latvian Parliament’s European Affairs Committee, saw the exchange of opinions on bilateral (parliamentary) cooperation.
Pejčinović Burić, together with Rinkevičs, laid flowers at the Freedom Monument in Riga and visited the National Library, the Museum of Occupation and NATO’s Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence.
During the visit to the National Library, the Croatian FM donated books by Croatian authors on the occasion of Latvia’s centenary of independence. Riga also saw a ceremonial marking of Croatia’s Statehood Day.