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Mogherini, Latvian foreign minister agree on necessity for dialogue with Russia

Xinhua, January 9, 2015 Adjust font size:

Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini agreed on the necessity of improving political dialogue in order to achieve a breakthrough in relations with Russia, the Latvian minister said at a joint press conference with Mogherini after their meeting here on Thursday.

During their meeting, Rinkevics and Mogherini discussed several steps which could be taken during Latvia's presidency of the EU Council, including Rinkevics' forthcoming visits to Kiev and Moscow.

"We agreed that we should build political dialogue to make a breakthrough in relations with Russia," said Rinkevics. He expressed hope that his visits to Kiev and Moscow would help in figuring out how to build relations between Russia and the EU in the future.

Mogherini underscored that during its presidency of the EU Council Latvia would have the opportunity to work on many issues, particularly the EU's neighborhood issues.

"I very much welcome Rinkevics' visit to Kiev and Moscow. It will be very important to promote reforms and dialogue. We have to work on a political dialogue with Moscow. I believe that Rinkevics' visit will be crucial," Mogherini said.

The EU official noted there had been some signals about possible changes in Russia's position on some issues. In Mogherini's words, Russia had already changed its attitude on issues like nuclear weapons and the Middle East, and that it had become more constructive.

"I hope that this is a part of a new era also in Russia," Mogherini said.

The EU commissioners arrived in Latvia on Thursday to discuss priorities of the Latvian presidency of the Council of the EU and to promote the European Commission's dialogue with social partners, nongovernmental organizations, and the wider public.

Latvia began its six-month presidency of the Council of the EU on Jan. 1, 2015. Endit