Latvia, China strengthen bilateral ties through online consultations

Riga – On May 24th, Latvia and China conducted online political consultations aimed at bolstering their bilateral relations. The discussions were co-chaired by Andris Pelšs, State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia, and Deng Li, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China.

During the consultations, both sides engaged in fruitful deliberations on various fronts, including bilateral cooperation, regional dynamics, and global affairs. Recognizing their differing viewpoints on certain issues, the participants emphasized the importance of maintaining a regular political dialogue as a means to foster understanding and collaboration between Latvia and China.

Consistent with the European Union’s common position, Latvia views China as a partner in addressing global challenges, while acknowledging its role as an economic competitor and a systemic rival. This shared perspective reinforces Latvia’s commitment to engaging with China on matters of mutual interest within the framework of the EU-China relationship.

In his remarks, State Secretary Andris Pelšs underscored Latvia’s keen interest in cultivating more balanced economic ties with China, with a specific focus on expanding opportunities for Latvian goods exports. Additionally, he highlighted the necessity of addressing reciprocal market access concerns within the EU-China trade dialogue.

During the conversation with China’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Andris Pelšs drew attention to the ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine. He called upon China, as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, to utilize its influence in ending the aggression. Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of refraining from providing any form of assistance to Russia, both in terms of military support and sanctions evasion.

This round of political consultations marks a continuation of the constructive dialogue between Latvia and China, following their previous consultations held in 2021. As Latvia and China forge ahead with their dialogue and cooperation, they aim to further strengthen their ties and promote stability and prosperity in the region and beyond.