Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan's official visit to Riga began with a meeting with Artis Pabriks, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Latvia.

The interlocutors commended dynamic Armenian-Latvian relations, reiterating the readiness to make most of the cooperation potential and expand bilateral ties. The sides noted that the Armenian-Latvian relations are based on mutual respect and understanding and outlined further steps to enhance the dialogue at different levels.

Touching upon the cooperation in the defence area, Zohrab Mnatsakanyan noted that there is an agenda of effective cooperation with both NATO and its member states, the driving force of it being the Armenia-NATO Individual Partnership Action Plan. The participation of Armenian peacekeepers in Afghanistan and Kosovo was highly appreciated. Foreign Minister Mnatsakanyan reiterated Armenia's readiness to continue and broaden its contribution to international peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts.

At the request of the Latvian Deputy Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister of Armenia presented the foreign policy priorities of Armenia, Armenia's position on a number of regional issues.

Touching upon the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship, Foreign Minister Mnatsakanyan presented the approaches and position of the Armenian side, stressing the importance of creating and strengthening an environment conducive to peace.