Saeima speaker Inara Murniece hopes charter flights between Latvia and China will commence next year.
“It would be a major impulse for economic development and tourism. Latvia and China have established a good political dialogue, and we are prepared for more active cooperation in trade, investments and transport fields,” Murniece said on April 12, during her meeting with Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China Zhang Dejiang, who arrived in Latvia with a delegation for an official visit.
The last time such a high-level meeting took place was 17 years ago.
Relations between Latvia and China are described by good parliamentary cooperation, Murniece said, noting that one-third of Saeima deputies were involved in the work group for cooperation with China.
“Active political dialogue and parliamentary contacts form the foundation for economic cooperation,” she said.
Saeima speaker notes that China is Latvia’s main economic partner in the Far East. Now is the time to improve cooperation between the two countries.
“Our food producers’ entry in the Chinese market is a good beginning for the use of economic potential,” Murniece said, adding that exports of goods to China increased last year.
Zhang Dejiang emphasized the successful relations between the two countries. He added that there was room for closer cooperation in the field of investments, transport and infrastructure, science and other industries. He said that China was interested in Latvia’s agricultural and pharmaceutical products.
Murniece emphasized Latvia’s readiness to become involved in China’s One Road, One Belt initiative, expressing hope that Latvia became part of it.
“We see Latvia as an international transport hub and a logistics center in Northern Europe and Baltic Sea region,” said Murniece.
16+1 format is a good platform for cooperation, adding to the dialogue between the European Union and China. Latvia’s priority in this format is transport and attraction of investments for infrastructure projects, as well as trade and exchange of students, Murniece said. (BNN/Business World Magazine)
