Prime Minister Sali Berisha received today the Foreign Minister of Latvia Maris Riekstins. Both dignitaries assessed positively the very friendly relations that exist between both countries and expressed willingness to enhance and consolidate them further in the future.

PM Berisha extended thanks to Foreign Minister of Latvia for recognition of the independent state of Kosovo underlining that Kosovo independence is an important factor of peace and stability for the entire region.

PM Berisha said that NATO and EU integration are Albania’s two major projects. We are working hard on these projects. In this context, the prime minister made an expose of the main reforms the Albanian government is implementing to this goal. And he considered decisive taking on organized crime, corruption and informality with zero tolerance.

Speaking about the judicial and electoral reform, the prime minister highlighted the very good climate of cooperation that exists between the political forces for the successful implementation of these reforms as well as approval of laws of vital importance to the country and its NATO and EU integration.

Likewise, PM Berisha acquainted Mr. Riekstins with the constant measures taken to improve the business climate for Foreign Direct Investments. Thus, the foreign entrepreneurs will have the possibility to exploit the great potentials that Albania offers in many sectors like in tourism, water resources and energy production, in the exploitation of mineral wealth etc. The prime minister also acquainted the visiting Latvian foreign minister with the facilitating measures taken targeting to curtail the bureaucratic barriers to the business. And he also invited the Latvian minister to stimulate Latvian entrepreneurs to invest in Albania.  

PM Berisha also talked to the Latvian foreign minister about the progress made to upgrade the education sector. The measures taken consist in introduction of the Internet network in all the schools of the country, liberalization of the country’s universities etc.

On his part, the Latvian Foreign Minister Riekstins confirmed Albania’s progress toward implementation of the overall reforms in the threshold of NATO Bucharest summit. He also expressed his assessment of government of Albania’s determination for implementation of reforms; fight against crime and to eradicate corruption in the country. 

Mr. Riekstins assessed positively developments in Albania as well as the success achieved in economic, political and social fields. The Latvian foreign minister expressed his pleasure for Albania’s positive results, for development of projects in economy. And he promised Latvia’s full support to the country’s EU and NATO integration as well as a fruitful exchange of development experience.

The Latvian minister identified crystal clear cooperation in politics, education, between the chambers of commerce, energy, and tourism. The Latvian government is also interested in the privatization process of the big enterprises in the context of the country’s progress, political stability and the economic reforms the government has introduced.

PM Berisha and the Latvian foreign minister also talked about the recent developments in Kosovo. The Latvian minister highlighted the fact that his country has participated for several years in KFOR and will participate in the coming EU missions there so that to make its contribution to development of Kosovo.

“There is a real, sustainable and favorable basis for the fast economic and social development of Kosovo and we shall provide all our support to this,” said the Latvian minister.