Latvia supports the idea of reducing visa costs for Belarusians within the European Union framework, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Latvia to Belarus Maira Mora told the press on November 20, reported Belta.
She reminded, Belarusians had not been charged with visa costs for two years before Latvia acceded to the Schengen zone agreement. In her words, however, the introduction of visa costs as high as €60 has not reduced the number of Belarusians seeking Latvian visas.
Maira Mora added, Latvia supports the proposal to make an exception for Belarus and reduce the visa costs before the country becomes a full-fledged member of the European Neighbourhood Programme.
Speaking about cooperation of the two countries, the Ambassador mentioned good contacts between the border services and the interior ministries. In her words, economic cooperation develops well. Latvian businessmen show interest in Belarus and expect the business operation terms in the country to improve. As far as the mutual trade is concerned, over the first six months of 2008 the trade exceeded €245 million, with Belarus' export as large as €181 million. Latvia has a major interest in cooperation with Belarus in the energy industry.