Focus on Baltic Sea cooperation during Latvian President's working visit

Cooperation in the Baltic Sea region was the main focus in the talks that took place between the new Latvian President, Dr Valdis Zatlers, and President of the Republic Tarja Halonen at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki on Wednesday, 22 August 2007. Other subjects that were discussed included environmental and energy matters, the managing of the EU's external borders and the Union's neighbourhood policy, as well as bilateral relations. "I have a feeling that this is the start of very good cooperation. We look forward to working more closely together," President Halonen said at a press conference that was held in the Yellow Room at the Presidential Palace.

President Halonen welcomed President Zatlers to the Presidential Palace in the Yellow Room. Copyright © Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

President Zatlers also praised the atmosphere in the talks. "This is my first visit to the Nordic countries and Finland was chosen for a good reason. Relations between Latvia and Finland are quite close and intensive at all levels."

The two Presidents and delegations also talked about the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the Baltic Sea States and Finland's Chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe next year. According to President Halonen, both of these are linked essentially to the development of the Baltic Sea region. International issues that were addressed included the situation in Afghanistan and Kosovo.

During his one-day working visit, President Zatlers also dropped by the Baltic Centre and the Mannerheim Museum in Helsinki.

The President of Latvia