On Tuesday, 27 May, as a part of her official visit to China, Solvita Āboltiņa, Speaker of the Saeima, met with Li Keqiang, Premier of the People’s Republic of China. She stressed that “Latvia looks forward to attracting Chinese investments, especially in the areas where China excels on the global scale in terms of both skills and technologies. Besides, Latvia has created an investment-friendly environment, which also includes the main seaports and the special economic zones”.

The Speaker of the Saeima and the Premier discussed opportunities to intensify the export of Latvian food products to the Chinese market. Li Keqiang confirmed that the certification procedures for Latvian dairy and meat products will be finalised shortly, and Āboltiņa greatly appreciated China’s efforts, since completion of certification will open new export opportunities for Latvian entrepreneurs.

In 2013, Latvia’s exports to China have increased by an impressive 80%; however, there is still great potential for further growth. Latvian exports, including dairy and meat products, as well as high-quality medicines would enrich the Chinese market, said Āboltiņa. 

The Speaker also praised the excellent and dynamic bilateral relations, which are based on mutual respect and trust. Furthermore, Solvita Āboltiņa underlined the importance of active political dialogue and exchange of high-level visits between the two countries.

When discussing economic cooperation, Āboltiņa emphasised the role of the transport and logistics sector in Latvia’s economy. She also expressed appreciation for the visit by the delegation headed by the Vice-Minister of the Chinese Transport Ministry which will arrive to Latvia next week and participate in a high-level conference on transport, logistics and trade. Speaker Āboltiņa expressed confidence that the conference will help to further strengthen transport connections between Europe and Asia.  

The Speaker also emphasised Latvia’s economic achievements, underlining that Latvia has successfully overcome the global economic and financial crisis and now ranks among the fastest growing economies in the European Union.

Regarding cooperation between the EU and China, Āboltiņa highlighted the importance of the historic visit by the Chinese President Xi Jinping to the EU institutions which served as a turning-point in EU-China relations. She also noted that as the presiding country of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2015, Latvia is committed to cooperating with China on all matters that pertain to EU-China relations.

From 24 to 31 May, Solvita Āboltiņa, Speaker of the Saeima, is on an official visit to China, where she is scheduled to meet with Zhang Dejiang, Speaker of the National People’s Congress; Wang Yang, Vice Premier of the People’s Republic of China; as well as the members of the Chinese Friendship Group and the Chairman of the Shaanxi People’s Congress. Together with the Vice Premier, she will also take part in the opening of this year’s International Fair for Trade in Services.

On her visit the Speaker of the Saeima is accompanied by Ojārs Ēriks Kalniņš, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Saeima; Dana Reizniece-Ozola, Chairperson of the Education, Culture and Science Committee of the Saeima; and Jānis Ozoliņš, Chairman of the Economic, Agricultural, Environmental and Regional Policy Committee of the Saeima.

Saeima Press Service