Georgian President pays reciprocal visit to Latvia

Georgia’s President Giorgi Margvelashvili is on an official visit to Latvia.

His international jaunt is a reciprocal visit, after his Latvian counterpart Andris Berzins visited Georgia in November last year.

Today in Riga, the capital of Latvia, President Margvelashvili held a face-to-face meeting with the Latvian president, which was followed by an extended meeting and a joint press conference of the two presidents.

During the meeting Margvelashvili and Berzins emphasized the close relations between their countries and discussed ways to improve business ties in the future.

Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili and Latvian President Andris Berzins on a joint press-conference. Photo by President's press-office

The main topic of the meeting was the upcoming Eastern Partnership summit in Riga, due to be held next month. Special attention was also paid to Georgia’s Association Agreement (AA) with the European Union (EU) and to the importance of effective implementation of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA), which is part of the AA.

Margvelashvili thanked his Latvian counterpart for his country’s "unwavering support” towards Georgian sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-recognition policy.

The two sides also discussed the situation in Georgia’s occupied territories and talked about the regional security environment. The meeting also underlined the importance of last year’s Georgia visit of the Latvian leader.

"During the meeting I informed the Latvian President about the difficulties that exist in our region. We also talked about the threats that pose the so-called ‘Alliance and Integration’ treaties, which Russia formed with the de facto regimes of Georgia’s occupied territories. This in fact represents a step towards the annexation of the territories of our country,” Margvelashvili said at the press conference.

After meeting President Berzins, Margvelashvili laid a wreath at the Freedom Monument of Latvia and visited Latvia’s Museum of Occupation, where he made a record in the honorable guest book of the Museum.

President Margvelashvili and his Latvian colleague laying a wreath at the Freedom Monument of Latvia. Photo by President's press-office

Later, the Georgian official met with the Speaker of Latvia’s Parliament Inara Murniece and the country’s Prime Minister Laimdota Straujuma.

Margvelashvili also attended a business forum held by Latvian and Georgian business community members.

At this meeting, Georgian businessmen presented information about the investment environment in Georgia to their Latvian counterparts.

The President of Georgia will end his Latvia visit tomorrow, April 17.