Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins and Secretary of State for European Affairs of France discuss closer co-operation within EU and NATO

On 25 February, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with the Secretary of State for European Affairs, Pierre Lellouche, who was in Latvia as part of his regional visit.

During the meeting, the ministers discussed bilateral relations between Latvia and France, and noted positive development of those relations over the last two decades since the restoration of Latvia's independence.

The parties also focused both on the European Union issues and the topics of international politics. The ministers spoke about the formation of the European External Action Service and other subjects related to the implementation of the Treaty of Lisbon, as well as co-operation between Latvia and France in issuing the Schengen visas in third countries.

Ministers Riekstins and Lellouche also discussed co-operation within NATO and the work on the development of NATO's new Strategic Concept, with contribution to the process by Aivis Ronis, delegated jointly by the Baltic states as member of the group of experts. The Foreign Minister of Latvia highly appreciated the contribution by France to patrolling the Baltic airspace, and noted that patrols make NATO presence more visible for the public.

During the meeting, Secretary of State Lellouche informed the Latvian side about latest developments in the matter of the Mistral vessel and Russia's interest in purchasing the ship. Mr Lellouche confirmed that at present no agreements have been made on a specific deal and before entering negotiations France would like to consult its allies in the region.

"I regard as positive, that during this visit France is ready for an unmediated exchange of opinions on the aspects of the deal between France and Russia," Minister Riekstins noted. Answering questions from the media about the Mistral vessel, the ministers agreed that the relations between Latvia and France by no means can be reduced to that specific deal.

Foreign Minister Riekstins noted that the security implications of the eventual deal for Latvia's residents should not be exaggerated, but at the same time adequate ways for co-operation should be considered between NATO member countries and the Russian Federation, focusing on the areas of common strategic interests for the Alliance and Russia.

Before taking office as Secretary of State for European Affairs, Mr Lellouche has been the president of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (2004-2006) and French Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan (2009).

From 24 to 26 February, the Secretary of State for European Affairs of France is visiting all three Baltic states.

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