On Monday 11 June, Prime Minister Māris Kučinskis met with Willem-Alexander, the King of the Netherlands who is paying a state visit to Rīga in the year of the centenary of Latvia.
During the meeting, the cooperation between the two countries and the situation in Europe were discussed. Latvia and the Netherlands are like-minded and pragmatic partners in various areas of the European Union. Both countries share a common understanding of European values and international challenges. In Latvia’s view, security, in its broadest sense, is a priority in the development of the European project.
The close cooperation between the Baltic, Nordic countries and the Benelux countries is highly appreciated. Latvia is interested in further development of this cooperation- it is an excellent opportunity for exchanging opinions and aligning positions on the European Union (EU) and international issues. Both sides expressed their hope that a successful solution regarding Britain's withdrawal from the EU or Brexit will be found.
During the meeting, M.Kučinskis highly appreciated the contribution of the Netherlands to ensuring NATO's expanded presence in the Baltic region and NATO's airspace patrols in the Baltic States.
As regards economic cooperation, the Prime Minister pointed out the importance of promoting cooperation in the fields of technology and innovation, transit and logistics.
“Technology transfer is topical both in the Netherlands and in Latvia. It is important to develop cooperation between universities, researchers, and business. We are interested in strengthening this cooperation. In Latvia, we are developing the concept of a Data Driven Nation," said M. Kučinskis.
He stressed the prime importance of education in the development of national economy by praising the current cooperation between Latvia and the Netherlands. The universities of the Netherlands and Latvia have successful bilateral co-operation, as well as within the framework of the EU programs - Horizon 2020, Creative Europe, Erasmus.
Latvia is also interested in cooperating with the Netherlands in the fields of transport and logistics by attracting cargos from Asia. The port of Riga has the closest cooperation with the port of Rotterdam. It is included in the three regular container lines coming to Rīga. M. Kučinskis stressed the need to develop co-operation between the two countries in search of new ways of attracting cargos.
The Netherlands is the eighth largest trading partner of Latvia and the second largest investor in Latvia. The companies registered in the Netherlands have made significant investments in the fields of transport and logistics, electricity, agriculture, metalworking, real estate and construction. The Latvian companies, in turn, have acquired certain reputation with their innovative solutions and quality in the creative industries, design and construction sectors of the Netherlands.
Andrejs Vaivars
Press Secretary to the Prime Minister
Mob.: 29228678
E-mail: Andrejs.Vaivars@mk.gov.lv