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On Wednesday, November 26, Finance Minister Arvils Ašeradens met with Christopher Robinson, US Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Latvia to discuss cooperation between Latvia and the US in the areas of economics, financial management, and regional security, as well as to thank the ambassador for his significant contribution to strengthening relations between the two countries during his term of office.
"Latvia and the US are united by a close partnership based on trust and shared democratic values. It encompasses economic cooperation and investment attraction, as well as joint solutions for strengthening financial security and transparency. The US is an important strategic partner for Latvia's development and security, and we highly value the active and purposeful cooperation between our institutions," emphasized Finance Minister Arvils Ašeradens during the meeting.
"I would like to thank Ambassador Christopher Robinson for his contribution to strengthening the partnership between Latvia and the US. During the ambassador's term of office, our cooperation has become even more dynamic, characterized by close coordination and shared principles – democracy, the rule of law, and an open market. On this basis, we will continue to work together to build a secure and competitive future, and Latvia will remain a reliable partner of the United States," continued Ašeradens.
During the talks, the minister pointed out that the US is one of Latvia's most important strategic partners and that, through mutual cooperation, Latvia is implementing a number of initiatives covering economic cooperation and investment promotion, as well as strengthening security and defense. The long-standing political, economic, and military support provided by the US has been significant for Latvia's integration into NATO and the European Union, as well as for strengthening security during the geopolitical challenges of recent years.
The minister noted that economic relations between Latvia and the US are becoming increasingly dynamic – Latvian entrepreneurs are showing growing interest in the US market, exports and investments are developing, and more and more niche products with high added value are entering the US consumer market. Meanwhile, Latvia's representative offices in Boston and San Francisco provide significant support to entrepreneurs in expanding export opportunities and implementing investment projects. At the same time, the US is an important partner in combating financial crime, promoting transparency, and developing innovation, which significantly strengthens Latvia's competitiveness.
Both sides also discussed their existing cooperation on security policy. The US is an important strategic partner for Latvia in the field of security, providing a rotating military presence, regular joint exercises, and financial support for the development of the capabilities of the National Armed Forces, including within the framework of the Baltic Security Initiative. Similarly, cooperation between Latvia and the Michigan National Guard has been ongoing for more than 30 years, significantly contributing to the professional development of Latvia's defense capabilities.
At the end of the meeting, the minister expressed his confidence that cooperation between the two countries will continue to expand in the areas of economics, financial security, and regional security.