Ukraine and Latvia - cooperation in economic, social and humanitarian spheres

Ukraine and Latvia deepen cooperation. Latvia intends to develop cooperation with countries that share borders with the EU. Ukraine is ready to take over Latvian experience and support. Being EU presiding country since January 1, 2015, Latvia contributes to the development of Ukraine.

Last year the Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Latvia was opened in Chernihiv.

Elena Vyshniakova, the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Latvia, plays an active part in the development of cooperation between Latvian and Ukrainian companies, businessmen and officials. The cultural center “Latvi Art” was opened under the patronage of the Honorary Consul as well. The aim of the center is to acquaint people of Chernihiv with the history and culture of the Latvian people.

In mid-May, Elena Vyshniakova held several meetings with representatives of state structures of Chernihiv. The main issues within these meetings were cooperation between Latvia and Ukraine in such spheres as education, trade, culture and humanitarian aid. In particular, within a meeting with Valeriy Kulich, the head of the Chernihiv Regional State Administration, the Honorary Consul discussed details of the project on 6 tons of relief consignments, which was organized with the support of Ainars Mezulis, the head of the parliamentary group on inter-parliamentary relations with Ukraine, the secretary of the committee on state and local government. Currently, the Honorary Consulate promotes coordination of relief consignments delivery from Latvia to Chernihiv. Distribution will be carried out by Chernihiv regional council.

With the assistance of the Honorary Consulate of Latvia and Ainars Mezulis, the member of the Saeima, the head of the parliamentary group on inter-parliamentary relations with Ukraine, the secretary of the committee on state and local government, a program on the recovery and rehabilitation of children from the families, which became victims of the ATO is setting up. The venue of the program is Family Support Crisis Centre in Smiltene, where children will receive psychological support provided by the best Latvian specialists. The Honorary Consul expressed readiness to continue such projects for children from needy families and orphanages.

One more important issue that was discussed within the meeting between representatives of Chernihiv regional council and the Regional Chamber of Commerce and Ainars Mezulis, from the Latvian side, Elena Vyshniakova, the Honorary Consul, and other Latvian officials was economic development of the region. Within a meeting with Konstantin Ivanov, the president of the Chernihiv Regional Chamber of Commerce, Latvian officials noted Latvia's interest in economic cooperation, development of export-import relations and investment operations. Elena Vyshniakova expressed readiness to contribute to the development and deepening of economic contacts with Latvia.