From January 28th to January 31st, a delegation of Georgian officials will visit Latvia. The visit is organized in order to allow the Georgian partners to learn about the functioning of NATO, as well as Latvia’s experience regarding NATO integration, and its reform experience in the fields of defense, law, public integration and education. The delegation consists of high-standing Georgian officials – members of parliament, deputy state ministers, judges, as well as other government officials. The visit is organized with the support of the American Embassy. On January 31st, the delegation members will proceed to the NATO headquarters in Brussels.

At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the delegation representatives will meet the Ministry’s Under-Secretary of State, political director Mr. Ilgvars Klava, and the Under Secretary of State who is also responsible for relations with Georgia, Mr. Edgars Skuja. The delegation will also have a separate meeting with the Latvian representative in the EU Special Representative team for the South Caucasus, Dr. Nils Muiznieks. The delegation will meet the Special Assignments Minister for Integration Affairs, Oskars Kastens, as well as representatives of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee, the Saeima European Affairs Committee, the President’s Advisor on Foreign Policy Issues, Mr. Janis Mazeiks, the Prime Minister’s Advisor on Foreign Policy Issues, Mr. Peteris Ustubs, representatives of the Ministry of Defense, and representatives of Latvian governmental and non-governmental organizations.

Cooperation with Georgia is one of the priorities of Latvian foreign policy. Georgia has reiterated its interest in close cooperation with NATO and in carrying out reforms in accordance with the high standards of the organization. In September 2006, NATO Ministers for Foreign Affairs agreed to begin the Intensified Dialogue with Georgia, which is a part of the NATO integration process and it is initiated with countries that want to join the alliance. The dialogue provides for closer cooperation between Georgia and NATO in the fields of defense, internal affairs, law, and other reforms, as well as for more frequent political consultations.

The U.S. Ambassador to Latvia, Catherine Todd Bailey, will attend a reception organized in the honor of the delegation by the MFA.

This press release was prepared by the MFA Press Center in cooperation with the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Riga, Latvia.

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