Latvia can become an important anchor point for Azerbaijan's exports to the European Union (EU) and especially to the markets of the Northern European region, said the President of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs, who is on an official visit to the capital of Azerbaijan, Baku, with a delegation of businessmen.
During a meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Rinkēvičs expressed his determination to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries through deepening political dialogue and developing practical cooperation, including economic cooperation.
Rinkēvičs emphasized that Latvia is interested in strengthening and expanding the strategic partnership. The President of Latvia expressed hope that the official visit and the recent meeting of the intergovernmental commission in Shusha would give new impetus to strengthening practical cooperation in priority sectors.
The President of Latvia noted that the Latvian-Azerbaijani business forum would contribute to further cooperation between enterprises of the two countries, as there is potential for collaboration in the fields of information and communication technologies, agriculture, transport and logistics, forestry, pharmaceuticals, and clean and green technologies.
Rinkēvičs expressed Latvia's interest in activating cooperation in agriculture, as well as strengthening the exchange of experience in agricultural education, for example, in the use of drones and other innovative technologies in agriculture.
The parties discussed the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The President of Latvia welcomed the positive dynamics in the bilateral dialogue between Azerbaijan and Armenia, which was followed by the initialing of a peace treaty in Washington in August 2025. The President of Latvia looks forward to the prompt signing and ratification of the peace treaty, which he believes will become a historical milestone in ensuring the security of the entire region.
The presidents exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East and Ukraine. Rinkēvičs expressed gratitude to Azerbaijan for the constructive exchange of views with the EU on issues related to mitigating the risks of sanctions evasion.
"It is very important to continue this cooperation to prevent any support for the war and Russia's efforts for regional destabilization. It is also important to continue providing comprehensive support to Ukraine," said the President of Latvia.
Rinkēvičs also confirmed his solidarity with the people of Azerbaijan regarding the disaster of the Azerbaijan Airlines plane in December 2024, as well as the attack by an Iranian drone on Nakhchivan in March of this year.
During the meeting, the President of Latvia welcomed the recently emerging positive dynamics in relations between Azerbaijan and the EU, which could open new opportunities for bilateral cooperation. In his assessment, the relations between the EU and Azerbaijan have significant potential for development in the coming years, especially in the areas of energy and communications, including through the development of the Trans-Caspian transport corridor.
During the official visit, a declaration of intent on agricultural cooperation, a memorandum of understanding on consular cooperation between the ministries of foreign affairs, a strategic interagency action plan for 2026-2027 between the State Border Service of Azerbaijan and the State Border Guard of Latvia, and other documents were signed.
