Ankara, 17 August 2022 (TDI): The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs, met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, on Tuesday to exchange thoughts on security policy issues amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Remarks of Foreign Minister of Latvia

During the meeting, the Foreign Minister of Latvia discussed bilateral relations between Turkey and Latvia, especially amid the Russia-Ukraine Conflict.

“We value good bilateral relations, regular and open dialogue with Turkey. At a time when a war caused by Russia is raging in Europe, close ties between allies are even more important,” Edgars Rinkēvičs said.

Edgars Rinkēvičs extended his gratitude to Türkiye for the decision to extend the visa-free stay of Latvian citizens in their country. The Minister also thanked Türkiye for its solidarity and support to Latvia in limiting the flow of citizens of third countries to Belarus.

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Foreign Minister Rinkēvičs expressed Latvia’s interest in continuing the exchange of high-level visits, as well as the political consultations of the Foreign Ministries of the two countries.

The Latvian Foreign Minister also highlighted the importance of Sweden and Finland’s accession to NATO. Their military forces and their readiness fully meet the standards of the alliance proving themselves reliable NATO partner countries.

“The rapid admission of both countries to NATO is an important issue for Latvia’s national security. At the same time, Latvia understands and recognizes Turkey’s legitimate security interests, including condemning terrorism in all its forms.”

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Turkiye lifted its veto against Sweden and Finland joining the transatlantic alliance on a trilateral summit in Madrid on June 29, 2022, after Turkiye accused the two Nordic states of harboring and supporting PKK fighters.

Latvia’s Minister emphasized the fact that their alliance will significantly strengthen security in the Baltic Sea region, NATO’s Northern flank, and Europe as a whole.

“Latvia assesses the appropriate depiction of the threat of terrorism in the NATO Strategic Concept.” The two Ministers also discussed the relations between Turkiye and European Union.

The Latvian Minister showed his support for the “dialogue between the EU and Turkiye on foreign policy and regional issues to promote mutual understanding and coordinate action in solving common challenges.”

“Turkey is an important partner and candidate country of the European Union. Therefore, cooperation is important to address common challenges, especially in the face of Russian military aggression.

Latvia is interested in maintaining a positive agenda with the European Union and Turkey. This requires continued efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region.”

Rinkevičs highly appreciated Turkiye’s diplomatic activities, as well as support for the resolutions of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly on efforts to ensure Ukraine’s grain exports.

Remarks of Turkish Foreign Minister

While Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, in his address, discussed regional developments, in particular grain transport from Ukraine.

He also underscored strengthening the bilateral relations between the countries. “We would further improve our economic and commercial ties,” he said.

Moreover, the Foreign Minister of Turkiye in his address added, “We will intensify our cooperation in the areas of the fight against terrorism & defense industry.”

Relations between Turkiye and Latvia

Turkiye recognized the independence of Latvia in 1925. The first Turkish Embassy in the Baltics was opened in Riga in 1929.

Treaty on Friendship and Cooperation was signed on 12 July 1994 between the two countries which led to the solidly grounded relations between Turkiye and Latvia.

Bilateral relations between Turkiye and Latvia have been developing steadily based on Turkiye’s support for Latvia’s NATO membership and Latvia’s support for Turkiye’s EU membership.

Both the countries enjoy good economic relations. In 2018, the overall volume of trade between the two countries reached 291 million Dollars (Turkish exports 126 million Dollars; imports 165 million Dollars).

In the period 2002-2018, the total amount of direct investments from Latvia to Turkiye amounts to 91 million Dollars.

Both the countries have also exchanged high-level visits to each other. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to Latvia in October 2014 and former President of the Republic of Latvia Andris Berzins’ visit to Turkiye in April 2014.

The visits were considered significant milestones for providing new momentum to promising bilateral relations. Also, around 200 Turkish citizens live in Latvia.

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