President Begaj begins tour of Baltic countries with state visit to Latvia
President Begaj began his tour of the Baltic republics with a state visit to Latvia today. The tour marks the first time an Albanian President has undertaken a state visit to all three Baltic countries: Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania.
Why is this significant
This visit is an important moment in strengthening Albania’s diplomatic ties with the Baltic states and enhancing political, economic, and security cooperation between Albania and Latvia, especially in the context of the war in Ukraine which has served to bring the Albania and the Baltic Three even closer to each other.
Context
During the visit, President Begaj and Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs discussed deepening political dialogue and enhancing cooperation across various fields, including direct investments, tourism, trade, education, and scientific research. A proposal was made to establish a permanent direct air route between the two countries to boost exchanges and tourism. The meeting also highlighted the importance of expanding the European Union into the Western Balkans to counter third-party influences and promote stability in the region. Additionally, President Begaj expressed gratitude for Latvia’s support in Albania’s EU integration process and emphasized the need for strengthened cooperation in defense and security as NATO allies.
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