On 4 and 5 October 2023, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Palestine, Amal Jadou, is on a visit in Latvia. As part of her visit, Amal Jadou took part in political consultations with the Under-Secretary of State, Political Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Andžejs Viļumsons, and had a meeting with the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Andris Pelšs.
During the meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the officials discussed not only the bilateral relations between Latvia and Palestine, but also the international agenda, especially Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, as well as the state of affairs in the Middle East. The diplomats welcomed the bilateral dialogue so far, highlighting the potential for closer economic cooperation, particularly in digitisation, as well as information and communication technologies. The Palestinian partners were also interested in Latvia’s higher education and reform experience, noting positively the regular participation of trainees from Palestine in the intensive programme in European law and economics at Riga Graduate School of Law, which is also taking place with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In the context of the international agenda, views were exchanged on Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, and the position of Latvia and the EU was explained concerning Russia’s accountability for the war and its global consequences. The Palestinian Deputy Foreign Minister also outlined current developments in the Middle East, including the Middle East peace process. She welcomed support from the EU and Latvia for a peaceful solution to the conflict in line with international parameters, including Latvia’s contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
During her stay in Latvia, the Deputy Minister is also scheduled to meet with the Minister of Health, Hosams Abu Meri, the members of the Foreign Affairs and European Affairs Committees of the Saeima (the Latvian Parliament) and the Group for Parliamentary Support for the Palestinian National Council, researchers from the Latvian Institute of International Affairs, as well as the Riga TechGirls non-governmental organisation.
