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On Friday, 28 September, Hendrik Gerrit Cornelis van den Dool, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Republic of Latvia, was welcomed by Solvita Āboltiņa, Speaker of the Saeima, on his first visit to the Saeima. During the meeting, Solvita Āboltiņa called on the Dutch Ambassador to support Latvia’s accession to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Both parties also discussed the enlargement of the euro area.

The Speaker pointed out that the enlargement of the OECD is an important item on Latvia’s agenda. Āboltiņa attested to Latvia’s interest in joining the OECD and expressed readiness to share Latvia’s experience in reform implementation and crisis management. “Latvia is ready to become a full-fledged member of this organisation, and we rely on the support of the Netherlands in negotiations and decision making on Latvia’s membership in this organisation,” said Speaker Āboltiņa.

When greeting the guest, Solvita Āboltiņa expressed gratification about hosting the Ambassador in the Saeima on a symbolic day. “Today the Minister for Finance has submitted the Draft Law on the State Budget for 2013, to which we refer as a growth budget. Furthermore, today the Saeima among other public institutions is holding Open Door Day and thus is open for visitors. The main building of the Saeima is traditionally one of the most visited. The interest that the public takes in the Saeima as a decision-making institution is remarkable,” stressed the Speaker. The Ambassador emphasised that an open Saeima attests to democracy.

The Dutch Ambassador commended Latvia’s achievements since the renewal of its independence, including its joining the European Union. Van den Dool said that Latvia’s achievements are an inspiring example for other countries.

The Speaker underlined the successful parliamentary relations between Latvia and the Netherlands, which include the 3+3 cooperation format established between the Baltic Assembly and the Benelux Parliament. Āboltiņa also emphasised the role of the Saeima’s group for interparliamentary relations with the Netherlands in laying a solid foundation for further development of cooperation on the parliamentary level.

Āboltiņa also characterised the economic outlook of Latvia as rather optimistic, given that the GDP growth of 5.5% in the previous year exceeded preliminary projections. Furthermore, in the first quarter of 2012 the GDP growth was the highest among all EU member states. “We are determined to join the euro area, and current macroeconomic indicators certainly fuel our optimism,” said Āboltiņa. In this regard the Ambassador assured the Speaker that the Netherlands is prepared to share its experience in the process of joining the euro area. 

Solvita Āboltiņa also pointed out that during the Ambassador’s term of office, numerous significant events will be held in Latvia, including Riga’s becoming the European Capital of Culture in 2014. The Speaker encouraged the Ambassador to enjoy the diverse cultural life of Latvia during his tenure, especially the Song and Dance Festival to be held in the following year.

Saeima Press Service