Foreign Minister Michael Frendo on Tuesday met with his Latvian counterpart, Artis Pabriks, for bilateral talks in Riga, Latvia. The foreign ministers also discussed developments in the Western Balkans and the Mediterranean region and expressed the will to collaborate more closely within the European Union.
Foreign Minister Frendo, who is accompanying the President on a State Visit in Latvia, spoke of the success of the business roundtable discussions and other meetings that had taken place the day before. He noted the ease with which business entrepreneurs from the two comparatively small economies could relate to each other and the mutual benefits that could potentially be derived if the two countries worked as a gateway for business in their respective regions.
Foreign Minister Frendo raised Malta’s unique situation on illegal immigration and explained that Germany and the Netherlands were already helping Malta by resettling a number of refugees from Malta into their countries. Foreign Minister Frendo also mentioned the assistance Malta is receiving from the US on this matter.
Later in the morning, Minister Frendo met with the Latvian Minister for Special Assignments for Electronic Government Affairs, Ina Gudele, and introduced her to those members of the Maltese business delegation that operate in the fields of information and communications technology. Minister Gudele described the areas of specialisation in Latvia which could provide opportunities for investment in this sector, highlighting possible areas of cooperation between the two countries.
Meanwhile, during his second day visit to the Republic of Latvia on Tuesday, the President of Malta, Dr. Eddie Fenech Adami met the Mayor of Riga City Council, Mr. Aivars Aksenoks, and was introduced to the Counsillors.
At the City Council, President Fenech Adami remarked about the similarities that exist between the two countries: both having their own particular identity, history of resistance, courage and great insistence in achieving goals. The President said that the existing joint programmes of exchange between the city of Riga and the city of Valletta are a positive way of actively placing the two municipalities in the international fora.
Later on Tuesday morning, The President visited the Baltic Container Terminal (BCT) and unveiled a commemorative plaque on the occasion of its 10th anniversary since the formation of the new company. The Baltic Container Terminal Limited is a privately owned container terminal operating within the Freeport Area of Riga Commercial Port by the Hili Company Limited. Mr Marin Hili is Chairman of the Board of BCT.
President Fenech Adami said that it was indeed a pleasure for him to visit the company and remarked about Marin Hili’s experience in the maritime sector, that was also vital in the development of container terminal in Malta. Whilst auguring further success to the company, the President expressed his hope for an increase in reciprocal investment.
The President’s programme included visits of cultural interest in the Old City of Riga. The President and Mrs. Fenech Adami also visited the medieval and picturesque town of Sigulda and Turaida Castle.
In a separate programme Mrs. Fenech Adami visited the preparatory school of Ziepniekkalns that includes also children with disabilities.
In the evening The President and Mrs. Fenech Adami hosted a reception in the honour of The President of Latvia, Vaira-Vike Freiberga and Prof. Imants Freibergs which ended the Maltese President’s state visit.
See also:
Stronger economic exchanges to be sought – Malta President
by MaltaMedia News - Jun 20, 2006
First state visit in Latvia for a Maltese President
by MaltaMedia News - Jun 18, 2006
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