Latvia’s new ambassador to the Czech Republic, Vilmars Henins, says that he wants to look for ways of promoting Riga and Latvia in Czech travel plans as an attractive and interesting place to spend the holidays.
Mr Henins told the LETA News Agency that the capital city of the Czech Republic, Prague, has long since been a popular destination for Latvians, so promotion of tourism is important in relations between the two countries. Friendship cities Bauska in Latvia and Nachod in Czechia are working on a regional tourist guide, focusing in particular on the last Duke of Courland, who had family ties in what is now the Czech Republic.
The ambassador also noted that trade turnover has increased since the end of the Covid-19 pandemic, with exports rising by an average of 15% a year. This suggests that the potential is “far from exhausted.” Henins mentioned significant progress in co-operation in the area of space – something that needs to be developed further.
The new envoy also believes that strengthening cultural co-operation would be helped if the Charles University in Prague began to offer Latvian language studies. Such lessons first were taught in 1923. The Masaryk University in Brno has also done the same, and it is necessary to continue to provide the necessary support. “Generally speaking, co-operation among Latvian and Czech universities is active,” Henins says. “There’s growing interest in intensifying these relationships, and the embassy’s job is to facilitate the development of such contacts.”
Latvia and the Czech Republic think similarly, the ambassador said when asked about current international challenges. He notes that both countries firmly defend democratic values and respect for international law.
“The dynamic nature of bilateral relations is a priority and will continue to be important in terms of maintaining the momentum of political dialogue,” says the ambassador to Czechia. “We can promote intersectoral and interparliamentary contacts, including regular exchanges of visits.”
Henins insists that security and defence are and will remain a cornerstone in this partnership. This includes strengthening NATO’s eastern flank with the participation of a contingent from the Czech Republic in the NATO Enhanced Brigade and its air patrol missions. There is also support for Ukraine via joint projects such as the Latvian-led drone coalition and the Czech initiative aimed at procuring artillery ammunition for Ukraine.
Henins also argues that it is important for both countries to work together in further curbing Russian aggression through various instruments, including sanctions.
The ambassador promised to assess new possibilities in promoting partnerships in the military industry. Given the increasing presence of hybrid threats, moreover, he says that it would be useful to engage in regular consultations on issues that negatively impact the resilience of society.
Source: BNS
(Reproduction of BNS information in mass media and other websites without written consent of BNS is prohibited.)