Raimonds Vejonis the President of Latvia visited Ukraine

Within the working visit of the President of the Republic of Latvia, a meeting between Latvian parliamentarians and members of the Verkhovna Rada (the Ukrainian Parliament), together with representatives of Ukrainian business, took place on October 27, 2015 in Kiev. The initiator of the event was the Latvia-Ukraine inter-parliamentary group of friendship, in particular, Oleksandr Kodola, the head of the group. Olena Vyshniakova, the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Latvia, facilitated the organization and running of the event in the Oazis concert-hall.

The Latvian delegation was headed by the President of the Republic of Latvia, Raimonds Vejonis, Deputy Foreign Minister, Eduards Stiprays, the head of State Chancellery, Aleksandr Bimbirulis, Minister of Agriculture, Janis Duklavs, the Head of inter-parliamentary group, the member of the Saeima (Latvian Parliament), Ainars Mezhulis and representatives of Latvian business.

The Ukrainian party on the event was presented by Oksana Syroyid, the Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada , Vladyslava Rutytska, the Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, Oleg Vyshniakov, the Honorary Consul of the State of Israel in Western region of Ukraine, Oleksandr Kodola, the head of the Latvia-Ukraine inter-parliamentary group, members of Ukrainian Parliament, representatives of the Latvia-Ukraine inter-parliamentary group and entrepreneurs.

According to participants of the meeting, Latvia and Ukraine were always interested in strengthening of bilateral economic cooperation. The two countries are strategically important for each other and maintain close economic, cultural and humanitarian ties.

Business representatives discussed details of the Cooperation Memorandum in the agricultural sector which was signed on October 27, 2015 by the Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Oleksiy Pavlenko and the Minister of Agriculture of Latvia Janis Duklavs. Within the memorandum Chernihiv region is defined as a pilot project for innovations in agriculture.

"The Ukrainian party is disposed to constructive dialogue and is ready to provide favorable conditions for capital inflows into this country. Being Honorary Consul of the Republic of Latvia in Chernihiv region, I am very glad that our region became the first one for cooperation with the Latvian farmers. Developing direct links between scientific establishments of agrarian sector, agricultural and food enterprises of Ukraine and Latvia will be the basis for fruitful cooperation and long-term projects ", Olena Vyshniakova admitted in her speech.

Joint researches in the field of agriculture, including scientific data, documents and publications exchange, the organization of forums, exhibitions, conferences, seminars, agricultural sector study visits and training courses are planned within the cooperation program as well as sharing of experience in the field of modern production and processing of agricultural products technologies.

During the meeting the sides discussed a wide range of areas of cooperation including opportunities for further economic development of both countries, the issues of agriculture, food and engineering.

Besides the European Union Association Agreement that will come into force since January 1, 2016, Ukrainian producers can benefit from the experience of Latvian producers, their logistics, transport and advisory opportunities.