Latvia’s Foreign Minister visits conflict zone to show support for Georgia

Pledging Latvia’s unwavering support for Georgia’s territorial integrity, Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics visited the Administrative Boundary Line (ABL) that separates breakaway Tskhinvali region (South Ossetia) from Georgia.

As a sign of Latvia's strong support to Georgia's territorial integrity I visited administrative boundary w/ SOsetia pic.twitter.com/MIogKqbwPw

— Edgars Rinkēvičs (@edgarsrinkevics) November 24, 2015

The Latvian diplomat also visited a kindergarten in the Ditsi border village in the Gori region which was furnished by the Latvian Embassy in Georgia.

The visit was part of Rinkevics’ two-day visit to Georgia.

While in Tbilisi Rinkevics directed the attention of Georgian officials to progress that Georgia had made since the establishment of the Eastern Partnership with the implementation of the European Union (EU)-Georgia Association Agreement (AA), especially in regard to the Customs Code, food safety and veterinary standards.

The increase in Georgia’s exports to the EU was also assessed as a positive sign and a good example that demonstrated the mutual benefits gained by the EU-Georgia AA deal.

Georgia’s visa liberalisation was the main focus of the Latvian Minister’s meeting with Georgia's Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili.

Thanks to Minister of FA of #Latvia@edgarsrinkevics for visiting #Georgia.Our main focus was process of #visa liberalization action plan

— Irakli Garibashvili (@PrimeMinisterGE) November 24, 2015

Rinkevics strongly supported the EU’s Action Plan on Visa Liberalisation with Georgia. He said last year's Riga Summit had sent a strong message to the people of Georgia that the issue of visa liberalisation could be resolved in the near future.

"We hope that the Georgian government will make every effort to fulfil the remaining recommendations and complete the second stage of the Visa Liberalisation Action Plan,” he said.

Rinkevics also emphasised Latvia supported Georgia’s enhanced cooperation with NATO and regarded Georgia as a "valuable partner” for the Alliance.

"Latvia supports NATO’s open door policy for Georgia, since the country, by undertaking reforms and participating in the strengthening of Euro-Atlantic security, has demonstrated its preparedness for further integration with the Alliance,” Latvia’s Foreign Minister said.