Latvia reaffirms support for Georgia’s European integration

Latvia supports Georgia’s European integration. This was the message Latvian President Andris Berzins told Georgian Prime Minister Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili today in Riga.

The Georgian PM and a national delegation is in Riga to attend the 4th ^{Eastern Partnership (EaP) Summit. Already today PM Garibashvili held his first bilateral meeting with the president of the host country.}

The main topics of the meeting were Georgia’s European aspirations, the future of the EU neighbourhood policy and development of the Georgia–Latvia relationship. The outcomes of Berzins' visit to Tbilisi in November last year were also discussed.

The two officials agreed that the relations between both countries have historically been "excellent", as evidenced by Latvia’s great contribution to implementation of the EaP program and the improvement of Latvian and Georgian economic indicators after Berzins’ visit to Georgia.

Gruzija pateicas par Latvijas stingro atbalstu http://t.co/EAsik6ovdMpic.twitter.com/nr0qWIW4Xr

— Valsts prezidents (@Rigas_pils) May 21, 2015

The Latvian president praised Georgia’s reforms undertaken in the previous six months and expressed support for Georgia’s European integration.

"We have always supported and will support Georgia in this way. You can always rely on us,” he said.

PM Garibashvili thanked the Latvian president and other senior Latvian officials for their support.

"Latvia’s position has always been clear and unequivocal towards Georgia,” Garibsahvili noted.

At the meeting the sides also discussed the prospects of Georgia–Latvia trade relations. It was noted that by March 2015, data showed trade turnover between two countries had increased by 19 percent compared to the previous year.

PM Garibashvili expressed readiness to host the 2015 meeting of the governmental economic commissions of the two countries, which would contribute to the expansion and development of economic relations between Georgia and Latvia.