On Saturday 13 January, Prime Minister Māris Kučinskis met with Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe in Rīga.
During the meeting, M.Kučinskis noted that Latvia is a stable and secure partner of Japan, and welcomed Japan's initiative to foster co-operation in the field of defence.
Japan is the second largest trading partner of Latvia and the European Union in Asia. The negotiations on the Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and Japan, which was concluded in December, provide a positive context for increased trade.
The talks focused on the opportunities for a broader dialogue between Latvia, the Baltic States and Japan, including in the fields of information technology, transport and logistics, medicine, and other areas. During the visit, the Japanese Prime Minister is accompanied by the representatives of several Japanese business corporations.
Within the framework of the visit, the Latvian-Japanese Economic Roundtable is being held. The entrepreneurs of this country have the opportunity to get acquainted with Latvia’s vision in the area of digital connectivity and the concept of a data-based nation.
"I am convinced that Latvia has all the prerequisites for becoming the “magnet” for innovation activities of northern Europe. Already during the talks in Tokyo, we saw common challenges and opportunities for growth. Being aware of the challenges of Japan's development strategy, I see the potential for cooperation between Latvia and Japan in the field of science and industry. Latvia and Japan have a great potential for economic cooperation, especially in areas of ICT, innovation, tourism, transport and logistics, “ said M.Kučinskis.
The Prime Minister also confirmed that Latvia offers a stable and secure place for investments, and the Japanese entrepreneurs who are operating at the Port of Riga are already aware of it.
The officials also discussed the security policy issues in both countries, including cyber-security. In addition, both sides have a similar understanding of North Korea. M. Kučinskis and S. Abe agree that efforts should be made to normalize the tense situation on the Korean Peninsula.
S.Abe’s visit to Latvia takes place one month following the meeting of the Heads of State and Government of both countries in Tokyo last December. The Japanese Prime Minister is the first official guest in the year of Latvia’s centenary.
Within the framework of the visit, the meeting of Prime Ministers’ spouses was also held. The spouse of the Prime Minister of Japan, Akie Abe and Laine Kučinska, spouse of the Latvian Prime Minister visited the National Library of Latvia where they familiarized themselves with the Children’s Literature Centre, the Latvian folklore storage “Dainu skapis” (“The Cabinet of Dainas”) of the Literature, Folklore and Art Institute of the University of Latvia. Mrs. A.Abe visited the RTU student campus in Ķīpsala and the Design Factory - a Prototyping Centre where science meets business and prototypes of new products are created. The spouse of the Prime Minister of Japan met with Tālis Juhnis, RTU Vice-Rector, Igors Tipans, Deputy Rector and Agris Ņikitenko demonstrated to Mrs.Abe a robot-constructor ‘Sumo Boy’ that is a training tool for children created by RTU Engineers' Secondary School students - Robotics Club members. Also, the Latvian National Museum of Art was visited during the visit.
VIDEO of the press conference
PHOTOS from the flower laying ceremony at the Freedom Monument
Information prepared by:
Andrejs Vaivars
Press Secretary to the Prime Minister
Phone: 29228678
E-mail: Andrejs.Vaivars@mk.gov.lv