During his visit to Latvia, the Japanese Foreign Minister confirms his desire to strengthen economic co – operation

To mark the centenary of Latvian-Japanese relations, Japanese Foreign Minister Tošimicu Motegi paid an official visit to Latvia on Friday. During the meeting with Latvian officials, bilateral co-operation between the two countries, relations between the European Union and Japan, as well as international issues were discussed.

After the meeting Ministerial Statement circulated Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs expressed hope that Japanese companies could participate in the implementation of the Rail Baltica project. In turn, the Japanese Foreign Minister highlighted the involvement of Japanese companies in other infrastructure projects in Latvia.

Ministers welcomed the close cooperation between the European Union and Japan, emphasizing the common goals of both partners in strengthening democracy and human rights, as well as in developing economic cooperation and climate change.

Both sides supported the safe holding of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo this summer, thus symbolizing global unity in overcoming Covid-19, and the preparations for Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan.

During the visit, Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi also met with Latvian Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš, together with the Latvian Foreign Minister laid flowers at the Freedom Monument, as well as participated in a tree planting ceremony to symbolically mark the beginning of the next century of relations between the two countries.

This year marks the centenary of friendship between Latvia and Japan, which began in 1921, when Japan, as one of the countries of the Supreme Council of the Entente, recognized Latvia’s sovereignty “de iure”.

“Today I had very valuable talks with Prime Minister Kariņš and Minister of Foreign Affairs Rinkēvičs. I am pleased that we have reaffirmed our readiness to strengthen our bilateral relations, especially in the area of ​​economic cooperation, ”said Motegi.

“The Japanese company is already participating in the Latvian natural gas transportation and storage project. Japanese companies are actively working to connect Latvia with the rest of Europe.

I hope that Japanese companies will be able to continue to make a great contribution to various infrastructure projects with their technological know-how, which will also strengthen European integration in all three Baltic States, including Latvia. ”

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