On 8 May 2023 in Riga, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs, met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Education and Sport of the Principality of Liechtenstein, Dominique Hasler, as part of her working visit to Latvia.
The ministers discussed the bilateral relations between Latvia and Liechtenstein, with a special emphasis on the potential for economic cooperation in the area of digital economy, smart mobility and artificial intelligence. “Latvian businesses are prepared to offer a vast array of information and communication technology services and technological solutions,” Edgars Rinkēvičs underlined. For its part, Latvia can draw on Liechtenstein’s experience in vocational education and training.
Latvia and Liechtenstein are like-minded countries as regards the role of the rule of law in ensuring global order, and they cooperate successfully in multilateral formats in international organizations. The Ministers welcomed the work done so far on the establishment, within the framework of the United Nations, of an ad hoc international tribunal on Russia’s crimes in Ukraine; and they were unanimous about the need to continue supporting Ukraine.
Another important topic for discussion was Latvia’s forthcoming Presidency of the Council of Europe from 17 May to 16 November, which Liechtenstein will take over from Latvia on 17 November. Edgars Rinkēvičs highlighted the priorities of the Latvian Presidency: strengthening democracy and the rule of law; freedom of expression and safety of journalists; promoting the digital agenda; and progress with reforms of the Council of Europe.