Latvia reiterates its continuous support for Moldova’s European course and in the reform process in a number of areas, Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkēvičs said in a meeting with his Moldovan counterpart Andrei Galbur in Chisinau. After the meeting, the two officials signed a bilateral intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in education, culture, youth and sport, IPN reports.

In a news conference, Andrei Galbur said the Latvian official pays the visit in a jubilee context – the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Moldova and Latvia. It is a quarter of a century during which Latvia has been an active supporter and promoter of the reform and European modernization processes in Moldova.

The Deputy Prime Minister noted that the discussion was facilitated by the fact that there are no problematic issues between the two states. In particular, they discussed the projects implemented with support from the Government of Latvia, whose value came to about €100,000 this year alone. Three of the EU High-Level Advisers working in Moldova are Latvians. The upcoming Eastern Partnership summit was another subject for discussion. The interlocutors underlined its importance for the Eastern partners.

For his part, Edgars Rinkēvičs said the agreement signed today will enable Moldovan young people to study in Latvia and to then return to Moldova to contribute to the development of the state. In the meeting, they considered the possibility of developing the economic and commercial relations, in particular in transport, wood processing, tourism and pharmaceutical industry.

The program of Edgars Rinkēvičs’ November 6-7 visit includes meetings with senior Moldovan officials and with leaders of parliamentary groups and extraparliamentary parties.