On 22 May 2024, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, will take part in the opening of the Latvian–French Business Forum. France is an important partner to Latvia in economic cooperation: current strategic partnership is evolving successfully both bilaterally and in the EU and NATO.
“An active political dialogue has been established between the two countries, while, on its part, the business forum in Riga is proof of their mutual interest in strengthening and improving business cooperation, including in sectors with high value added and untapped potential – information and communication technologies, infrastructure and connectivity, strengthening the defence industry, green energy and innovations, and the artificial intelligence. Enhanced cooperation in those areas of strategic importance is a long-term investment in security and societal resilience – that of our countries, the European Union, and beyond,” Foreign Minister Baiba Braže underlines.
On the French side, the Business Forum will be opened by Franck Riester, Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade, Economic Attractiveness, Francophonie and French Nationals Abroad. Foreign Minister Braže will meet with Franck Riester to discuss the Latvian-French Strategic Partnership and bilateral cooperation, both in the economy, military industry and in the French language teaching. The officials also intend to exchange views on the security situation in the region and Russia’s war in Ukraine. France has meaningful involvement in the defence of NATO’s eastern flank through both the eFP and the Baltic Air Policing.
Round table discussions featured on the agenda of the Business Forum focus on topics also included in the Latvia–France Action Plan for 2023–2026, which covers cooperation in economic areas such as digital technologies, 5G, energy, and Rail Baltica.
As pointed out by the Foreign Minister, a prime example of the efforts of the two countries to develop sustainable infrastructure and regional connectivity is the Rail Baltica project, in which France has been actively involved from its early stages. “Rail Baltica is a cornerstone of regional security that will enable significant improvements to both civilian and military mobility. Today’s geopolitical situation clearly highlights the need for strategic investment in interconnected, efficient and sustainable connectivity of regional infrastructure,” Baiba Braže notes.
The venue of the forum is the Riga Culture and Folk Art Centre “The Small Guild”; the event launches at 9 a.m.
The Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade, Economic Attractiveness, Francophonie and French Nationals Abroad, Franck Riester, is in Latvia for a two-day visit on 21 and 22 May. On Tuesday, 21 May, the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dace Melbārde, had a meeting with the Minister Delegate to discuss trade and the future of the European Union,
A Representation Office of the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) is operating in France. In turn, Latvia hosts the French Chamber of Commerce in Latvia.
For further information
Bilateral relations between the Republic of Latvia and the French Republic | Ministry of Foreign Affairs (mfa.gov.lv) – in Latvian
Agenda of the Latvian–French Business Forum: Réunion Pays baltes