“Recognition Cross” of Latvia for Moldovan Valeriu Dragnev

“For special merits in public, social and cultural activity”, Valeriu Dragnev, the Honorific Consul of the Latvia to Moldova, has been awarded the order “The Recognition Cross” by the Riga authorities, Info-Prim Neo reports. It's one of the most old and valuable distinctions of the Latvian state, being instituted back in 1710 with the remark “To honest people”. The modern history of the order started in 1938, when, after a long period, it got again its place among the row of independent Latvia's state distinctions. Valeriu Dragnev was born in Bascalia village, Basarabeasca district of Moldova. His relationships with Latvia started 20 years ago, bearing a preponderantly economic character. In time, they have developed into mutual trust, so, five years ago, the doctor of economy Valeriu Dragnev was appointed as Latvia's honorific consul to Moldova. In a recent interview for Info-Prim Neo news agency, Valeriu Dragnev spoke about the Moldo-Latvian partnership, maintaining it has a big potential to be capitalized. “For Latvia, Moldova is a top-priority candidate to joining the EU... Moldova has very good prospects in the area of economic exchanges with Latvia, although now they amount to several million US dollars,” Valeriu Dragnev was saying. The consul was awarded the order “The Recognition Cross” by Latvian President Valdis Zatlers at the ceremonies dedicated to the Independence Day in Riga, marked on November 18.