Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 26
By Seba Aghayeva – Trend:
Latvia intends to offer Azerbaijan to consider the opportunities of cooperation in the spheres of eco-friendly technologies, food industry, pharmaceuticals, health tourism, Latvian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Juris Maklakovs told Trend.
Latvia’s Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics wants to discuss prospective spheres of cooperation during the negotiations with the Azerbaijani side during his visit to Baku in February, noted Maklakovs.
Currently, the two countries’ foreign ministries are discussing the visit’s organizational issues.
The ambassador said that discussions on prospects of the two countries’ cooperation both on bilateral basis and at regional and international levels are expected to be mulled during the visit.
It is also planned to discuss the possibility of organizing visits at a higher level, he added.
The Latvian diplomat praised the level of political relations between the two countries and expressed concern over the decline in the bilateral trade relations.
“In total, political dialogue between the two countries is at a good level. Currently, opportunities of development of economic ties are being considered,” said Maklakovs. “Latvia is interested in development of relations in such areas as tourism, education. We are ready to provide good opportunities for Azerbaijanis for education at the best universities of Latvia.”
As of today, 170 Azerbaijanis are studying at Latvian universities and this amount may increase, he added.
The ambassador noted that there are also good prospects for cooperation in the fields of agriculture, reforestation, seed farming and others.
An increase in trade turnover, joint investment projects, effective use of international transportation corridors and communications in such areas as education, agriculture, construction, tourism and health were noted among priorities of the two countries’ cooperation during the 6th meeting of the Azerbaijan-Latvia intergovernmental commission on economic, scientific and technical, cultural cooperation that was held in summer 2016.
Maklakovs said that as of today, total volume of Azerbaijani investments in Latvian economy amounts to $16 million.
Trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Latvia amounted to $8.75 million in 2016 that is by 4.3 percent less than in 2015, according to Azerbaijan’s State Customs Committee.