Latvian Rehabilitation Center will provide an aid for Ukrainian children from the ATO area

Such a decision was taken by the administration of the Family Support Center of Smiltene Municipality (Crisis Centre) in Latvia after the meeting with the Honorary Consul of Latvian Republic in Ukraine - Olena Vyshniakova.

On the 2d and 3d of March, 2015 under the patronage of the Honorary Consulate was hold the visit of the Latvian officials and businessmen to the Chernihiv region.

On the 9th and 10th of March the Honorary Consul Mrs.Vyshniakova arrived to Latvia with a return visit. One of the main events of the visit was the meeting of Honorary Consul of the Latvian Republic in Ukraine Mrs. Olena Vyshniakova with the State Secretary of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Latvia - Mr. Andrei Pildegovich. Within the meeting, the Honorary Consul outlined the State Secretary the current political and economic situation in Ukraine, emphasized the importance of the cooperation with Latvia and support the Ukrainian business and citizens.

From the 1st of January, 2015 Latvia presides at the European Union Council. Latvia declared involvement, growth and sustainable development as its main principles, as well as particular attention to the cooperation with the countries bordering the EU. Taking into account this fact, Honorary Consul expressed her expectations toward the closer attention of European politicians on Ukrainian problems.

Mrs. Olena Vyshniakova also told Mr.Pildegovich about the activity directions of the Honorary Consulate of Latvia in Ukraine and programs which will be implemented under the patronage of the Consulate for the development of cooperation between Ukraine and Latvia in the economic, agricultural and humanitarian spheres. Honorary Consul emphasized the readiness of Ukrainian businessmen and politicians to cooperate.

Mrs. Vyshniakova and Mr. Pildegovich discussed the necessity to attract the foreign partners to support the Ukrainian business. State Secretary of Latvia assured Honorary Consul in readiness of Latvian Republic to render all possible assistance to Ukraine in solving existing problems, particularly, providing of the assistance to the Ukrainians who suffered during the war.

Mrs. Vyshniakova also hold a numerous of meetings and the negotiations with Ainars Mezulis, Member of Latvian Parliament, Head of the Parliamentary Group of the Interparliamentary Relations with Ukraine, Secretary of the State administration and local self-government. Within the meeting, Honorary Consul discussed with Mr. Mezulis the possibility of cooperation at the regional level with the Latvian companies, as well as options for the assistance from the Republic of Latvia to Ukraine and its citizens.

The topic of the cooperation with Ukraine and assistance to it was also the main at the meeting between Mrs. Olena Vyshniakova and representatives of Duma and businessmen in Smiltene. Officials invited to visit the Honorary Consul the Family Support Center of Smiltene Municipality (Crisis Centre). The Centre works with orphans, disadvantaged families, conducts the education programs on family and childhood issues, as well as psychological problems of children and adolescents. It is the very direction to assist the Ukrainian children suffered in ATO area. Many of them are in desperate need of psychological rehabilitation by the specialists. Smiltene Center is ready to invite young Ukrainians to provide such assistance. Honorary Consul promised to get this program under control and to make every possible effort to send the first group of Ukrainian children to Smiltene in nearest future.