March 27, 2019 in Smolny Vice-Governor of St. Petersburg Vladimir Knyaginin met with Ambassador of Latvia to Russia Maris Riekstins. A round table with representatives of the business community of St. Petersburg and Latvia was held at the St. Petersburg chamber of Commerce and industry.
The meeting in Smolny was also attended by representatives of the Committee for external relations of St. Petersburg and members of the Latvian delegation: representatives of the Ministry of communication and the Ministry of economy of the Republic of Latvia, Latvian investment and development Agency.
The visit of the official delegation headed by Ambassador extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Latvia to Russia Maris Riekstins is timed to the days of Latvia held in St. Petersburg.
Vladimir Knyaginin told the partners that St. Petersburg attaches great importance to the development of good-neighborly relations with Latvia, which is one of the closest neighbors in the Baltic sea. However, he noted that the volume of mutual trade between St. Petersburg and Latvia can not be called satisfactory, but this is dictated by circumstances beyond the control of the Government of St. Petersburg.
Also, the Vice-Governor stressed that the citizens of St. Petersburg and Latvia have much in common in historical terms. "In Riga, a large cultural footprint left extensive St. Petersburg community, in St. Petersburg – Latvian", - he said.
In response, Maris Riekstins thanked the Government of St. Petersburg for the support in organizing the visit of the delegation of Latvian entrepreneurs who arrived in the Northern capital of Russia to establish business contacts. He spoke about the work carried out by the Latvian diplomatic mission with Latvian societies throughout Russia and noted the broad representation of Latvian culture in various Russian cities.
There was an exchange of views on the prospects for further strengthening of cultural, humanitarian and business contacts, which, in turn, should lay a solid Foundation for the construction of good-neighbourly relations between the peoples.
At the end of the meeting, the extended Latvian delegation took part in a round table on the establishment of business cooperation between businessmen of Latvia and our city, organized by the St. Petersburg chamber of Commerce and industry with the support of the Committee for external relations of St. Petersburg. A number of companies in the field of transport, logistics, architecture, design, textile production, law, catering and education were represented on the Latvian side.
Additional information: 576-75-14, sobol@kvs.gov.spb.ru – Andrei Leonidovich Sobolevsky, specialist of the Department for relations with compatriots abroad of the Committee for external relations of St. Petersburg.