Latvia ready to step up dialogue with Russia: parliament deputy speaker

As neighbors, Latvia and Russia need to maintain dialogue and seek opportunities for cooperation even if they remain at odds on some issues, Latvian Parliament Deputy Speaker Gundars Daudze on Tuesday.

He made the remarks while meeting new Russian Ambassador to Latvia Yevgeny Lukyanov.

Latvia is open to dialogue with Russia and Latvian lawmakers have set up a parliamentary group for cooperation with their Russian colleagues, Daudze said.

"We are ready to intensify the parliamentary contacts, including an exchange of visits," the Latvian parliamentary press service quoted Daudze as telling Lukyanov.

A Latvian-Russian intergovernmental commission is expected to meet in May of this year to address a broad range of issues important to both countries.

Daudze called for closer cooperation between Latvia and Russia on transport and logistics, as well as noted the need to do away with obstacles in trade.

The Latvian parliament deputy speaker also voiced necessity to seek possibilities to improve cooperation on Latvian food exports to Russia.

Moreover, the officials agreed that the two countries' cross-border cooperation projects have helped improve infrastructure in the border areas and benefited local residents on both sides. Endit