KALININGRAD, June 5 (Itar-Tass) - Latvian Foreign Minister Edgar Rinkevics said he would notify his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov of the completion of all legal procedures for the agreement signed by the two countries in 2010 to facilitate mutual trips of citizens living in border-lying regions.
The minister made the statement prior to his talks with Lavrov on Wednesday, June 5.
Rinkevics also expressed hope that the document would “give additional opportunities to Russian and Latvian citizens visiting each other’s country.”
Lavrov welcomed the move and said he was hopeful that Latvia would support Russia’s intention to sign a visa-free travel agreement.
Rinkevics is participating in the Council of Baltic Sea States (CBSS) Ministerial Session in Kaliningrad, which is being held as part of Russia’s CSBB chairmanship to be concluded on June 30, the Latvian Foreign Ministry said.
The foreign ministers will discuss the Council’s role in the region and cooperation with other regional organisations in the Baltic Sea region. They will adopt a CBSS ministerial declaration on the activities of the Russian presidency, the CBSS task forces and expert groups and also on the organisation’s tasks for the next reporting period.
Rinkevics will meet with Lavrov on the sidelines of the session to discuss current bilateral relations and prospects for developing cooperation between the countries, the ministry said.
The CBSS is a regional organisation composed of the three Baltic states, five Nordic countries, as well as Germany, Poland, Russia, and the European Commission. Last year, the CBSS marked its 20th anniversary.
Finland is taking over the CBSS presidency on July 1.