Latvian FM hopes Eastern Partnership agenda tops Estonia's EU presidency priorities

Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics voiced his hope at a news conference here on Friday that Estonia keep the EU's Eastern Partnership agenda a top priority during its forthcoming presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU).

Rinkevics made the remarks following talks with his Estonian counterpart Sven Mikser, expressing his readiness to provide assistance to Estonia to make its EU presidency a success story.

Mikser said the agenda of the Estonian presidency was going to be fairly busy, but agreed that the Eastern Partnership program required increased attention and promised to ensure that. He said it was a hectic time for EU foreign ministers.

Describing his talks with his Estonian colleague as very good, Rinkevics said that they covered a wide range of topics, including energy issues and regional security.

Both Latvia and Estonia were unanimous that the implementation of the agreements reached at NATO's Warsaw summit had been going very well.

The Latvian foreign minister also said the Baltic states were determined to work together to build closer ties with the incoming U.S. administration, speaking about cooperation so as to build contacts and promote dialogue with the United States.

Asked about the new Estonian government's foreign policy orientation, Mikser said the new cabinet was not planning any major changes in this area and that Estonia was determined to maintain its current pro-Western orientation. Endit