On 22 February, 2024, in Abidjan, political consultations were concluded between the Andžejs Viļumsons, Under Secretary of State, Political Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, and Wautabouna Ouattara, Minister Delegate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Diaspora of Côte d’Ivoire.
The consultations addressed the current agenda of bilateral relations, cooperation in international organisations, as well as the situation in Europe, West Africa and, on a broader scale, across the African continent. The Political Director drew attention to the global consequences of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and explained the security challenges facing Latvia and other Baltic States.The Minister Delegate of Côte d’Ivoire gave an assessment of developments in the Sahel region and West Africa.
The officials commended the good and friendly bilateral relations between Latvia and Côte d’Ivoire, while pledging to work together to deepen those relations in economy, education and culture.
As part of his working visit from 21 to 23 February, the Parliamentary Sceretary also had meetings with Claude Sahi Soumahoro, Chief of Staff of the President of Côte d'Ivoire; Prof. Assane Thiam, the President’s adviser on foreign affairs, Chief of Staff of the Minister of Culture; and Lassina Doumbia, Chief of Defence Staff of the Armed Forces.
Andžejs Viļumsons also visited the International Academy for the Fight Against Terrorism inaugurated in 2021 with support from France, where he met with its Director General Joseph Kouame Allah.
