President of Latvia Egils Levits arrived in Israel on state visit on 28 November. He started his visit in Jerusalem by meeting with Isaac Herzog, President of Israel, to mark the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations and discuss deepening of mutual ties, European Union-Israel dialogue and security in Europe.
This is visit comes at a challenging time for global security because of Russian invasion of Ukraine, said President Levits. But it is vital for deepening ties between the two countries, especially in trade, education, science, high technologies and medical tourism.
According to President of Israel, Latvia is a special country for Isaac Herzog because his grandmother was born in Riga and mentioned Latvia quite often. As regards to deepening of bilateral relations, President Herzog welcomed the recent opening of Latvian Trade Mission to Israel by Latvian Investment and Development Agency (LIAA). Trade mission will definitely have positive effect for both sides involved in mutual trade. President of Israel also urged Latvia to cooperate more closely on climate issues.
Egils Levits stressed that presence of Minister for Economy and impressive business delegation is a firm sign of Latvia’s interest in expanding cooperation to reach new levels of partnership that will be formalised through memoranda of cooperation and networking agreements. Latvia is looking forward to closer dialogue with Israel following the recent EU-Israel Association Council meeting, said President of Latvia.
Presidents of Latvia and Israel also discussed security in Europe and Russia-Ukraine war. President of Latvia asserted that all democratic countries are ready to continue helping Ukraine and want Russia to be held accountable for its crimes and breach of international laws. President Herzog confirmed that Israel provides Ukraine all possible humanitarian aid to help Ukrainians survive this tragedy.
Heads of Latvia and Israel underlined the important role of diasporas in promoting bilateral ties and deepening cooperation.
Latvia pay tribute to victims of Holocaust every year on national remembrance days, President of Latvia indicated. Holocaust research and education is also adequately supported by government, which allocates resources for this purpose.
President of Latvia is accompanied by Mrs Andra Levite, Minister for Economy, parliamentary secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, representatives of universities and hospitals, Director of LIAA and 50 entrepreneurs from different sectors.
Mrs Andra Levite met with the First Lady of Israel. Later today she will also visit the world-famous Seeba Medical Centre in Tel Aviv, as well as go to Children’s Hospital to launch cooperation between Latvian and Israeli partners.
