On November 19, Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian arrived in Latvia for an official visit.

In Riga Edward Nalbandian first met with Māris Riekstiņš, Foreign Minister of Latvia.

In his welcoming remarks Māris Riekstiņš mentioned that Latvian authorities attach importance to development of comprehensive relations with Armenia and they are ready to undertake the specific steps in that direction.

Minister Nalbandian congratulated Māris Riekstiņš on the ninetieth anniversary of the Republic of Latvia celebrated on November 18. He underlined that friendly relations between Armenia and Latvia are actively developing and that the Armenian side is intended to undertake consistent steps to maintain high level political dialogue, as well as to intensify the economic ties.

The two stressed the existing legal field between Armenia and Latvia, which creates a solid basis for deepening the bilateral relations between the two countries in different areas.

In the context of the Armenian – European Union relations Ministers Nalbandian and Riekstiņš exchanged views on the implementation process of European Neighborhood Policy Action plan and the Eastern Partnership initiative.

The Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Latvia had an essential discussion on issues concerning the maintenance of exhaustive security in Europe. Edward Nalbandian emphasized the necessity to improve the existing system.

Discussing the issue of the settlement of conflicts, the Ministers underlined the need of the settlement of the problems only by means of peaceful negotiations.

Minister Riekstiņš highly appreciated the participation of Armenia in peacekeeping activities in Kosovo.

On the request of Māris Riekstiņš Edward Nalbandian presented recent developments in Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) peace process and the steps aimed at the normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations.

In the course of the meeting Ministers had a detailed discussion concerning the events around South Ossetia and the situation created in the region after that.

The meeting between Ministers was followed by a briefing.

Ministers continued the discussions at the official dinner hosted in honor of Edward Nalbandian.

Afterwards the Foreign Minister of the two countries visited Latvian Liberty Statue where after the check-up of the guard of honor they laid a wreath on the Statue.

In Riga Edward Nalbandian was also received in the Saeima of Latvia where he met with Gudars Daudze, Speaker of the Saeima. Andris Berzins, chairperson of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee and Ivans Klementjevs, chairperson of the Saeima group for cooperation with the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia were also present at the meeting.

On November 19 in the evening Edward Nalbandian met with the representatives of the Armenian community in Latvia. In the course of the meeting which lasted more than two hours the Armenian Foreign Minister presented main directions of the Armenian foreign policy and issues that the Armenian diplomacy is facing.

They had a detailed discussion on the settlement of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) issue and the perspectives of normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations.

On November 20, Edward Nalbandian will meet with the President of the Republic of Latvia Valdis Zatlers.

The Armenian Foreign Minister will also visit the Armenian Church of Saint Gregory the Illuminator in Riga.

In the same day Edward Nalbandian is to leave for Estonia.