Iranian, Latvian FMs Discuss Bilateral Ties, World Developments


TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his Latvia counterpart Edgars Rinkevics in a meeting in Tehran on Wednesday explored avenues for the further expansion of bilateral relations.

Zarif and Rinkevics discussed ways for expansion of bilateral cooperation, especially during Latvia’s EU presidency.

Latvia will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2015.

Zarif said the ground is set for developing cooperation between Tehran and Riga in different political, economic and cultural fields.

The Latvian top diplomat, for his part, highlighted the role of Iran in major regional issues.

He also voiced his country’s preparedness for enhancing relations with the Islamic Republic.  

The two foreign ministers also exchanged views on major regional and international issues, including the latest developments in Syria, the elections in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the situation in Ukraine.

Located in the Baltic region of Northern Europe, Latvia became an independent country after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Iran and Latvia, which first began their political ties in the 1920s, have been improving relations over the past year.

Latvia’s first accredited Ambassador to Tehran Atis Sjanīts submitted his credentials to President Rouhani on February 24, 2014.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for European and American Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi visited Latvia on 28-29 November 2013.