Latviski
On 1 July, in Ankara, the capital of Turkey, Latvia-Turkey foreign ministry political consultations took place. They were chaired, from the Latvian side, by Foreign Ministry Political Director Andris Razans. During the consultations, a number of meetings with senior officials of the Turkish Foreign Ministry were held.
At the talks, the sides discussed Latvia-Turkey bilateral relations, high-level visits to be planned and measures for the promotion of economic co-operation. Much attention at the negotiations was paid to issues of Turkey's integration into the European Union, the progress of talks and the reform process in Turkey. Andris Razans expressed support for the membership of Turkey in the EU. The successful progress of accession talks with Turkey is both in the interests of the EU and Turkey. The Turkish side stressed that accession to the EU is its key foreign policy priority. At the consultations, the sides also talked about the development of the situation in the Middle East region, the Caucasus, efforts of the international community to ensure the fulfilment of commitments from the side of Iran in the development of its nuclear programme. The discussion included current issues of the security of Europe and relations with the neighbours of the EU and Turkey.
Likewise, talks, organised by the Latvian Embassy in Turkey and the Turkish Embassy in Latvia, were held with key public and private organisations of the Turkish port and transport sector, including senior officials of the Ministry of Transport. Together with Foreign Ministry Political Director Andris Razans, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Riga Freeport Viesturs Silenieks participated in the talks. During the negotiations, the sides discussed possibilities to activate Latvia-Turkey co-operation in the field of shipments and the involvement of Riga Port in shipment projects and outlined specific directions of future co-operation between respective institutions in Latvia and Turkey.
The Republic of Turkey is a significant co-operation partner of Latvia that continues EU accession talks. Turkey is a member state of the North Atlantic Alliance. In the field of economics, it is the world's 17th largest economy with constantly growing political and economic influence. Turkey plays a significant role in the efforts of the EU to increase its energy security.
Original: http://www.mfa.gov.lv/en/news/press-releases/2010/july/05-02/
