18.07.2016, 16:23
President of Latvia Stresses Experience of Latvia at ASEM Summit
OREANDA-NEWS. Latvia has already proved itself be effective in connecting the American and European cargo flows with Russia, Eastern European countries, and Central Asia; based on its gateway location, Latvia has developed a world-class transit industry and delivers high class land, air and sea transportation and logistics services, stated President of Latvia Raimonds Vējonis while addressing participants of plenary session “Promotion of ASEM Partnership for Greater Connectivity” of the 11th Asia - Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit today.
When addressing leaders of ASEM member countries, the President of Latvia emphasized that in recent years, a particular attention has been paid to the development of Riga airport services and its connectivity with other modes of transportation. Next step is to implement the largest infrastructure project in decades - to build a high-speed railway connecting railway system of Baltics with the Western Europe – Rail Baltica, according to the President of Latvia.
The President of Latvia emphasized that the concept of connectivity becoming central in the ASEM discussions was a strong tool to reinforce ASEM. “Connectivity is key for bridging countries, regions and people; it is vital for prosperity and growth and for building trust and stability. Taking that on board, we should evaluate existing and new ways and modes to connect Europe and Asia,” proposed Raimonds Vējonis.
In his speech, the President of Latvia pointed out that Latvia always supported the ASEM process actively and invested a great deal of effort to connect Europe and Asia. In the ASEM format, Latvia has always kept a strong focus on transport and education that was demonstrated by hosting the ASEM Transport Ministers’ Meeting and the ASEM Education Ministers’ Meeting in Riga during the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Latvia has set attraction of transit cargoes from the region of Asia as one of its priorities, thus the President of Latvia paid special attention to the issues of transport and logistics during the ASEM Summit. The President of Latvia presents Latvia’s experience and potential as a transit country to the heads of state and heads of government, connecting the European and American cargo flows to Russia, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia.
Cargo traffic through Latvian ports is the largest among the Baltic States and exceeds 70 million tons per year, including 60 million tons transported by rail. Apart from the existing traditional sea routes, rail transport is becoming a major transport mode between Asia and Europe fast.
ASEM Summit marks the 20th anniversary by bringing 51 Head of State and Head of Government from Europe and Asia, as well as the EU top officials.
The Summit titled “ASEM 20 Years: a Partnership for the Future by Developing Connectivity” evaluates progress in the political, economic, social, cultural, and human communication issues for the last 20 years. Aspects, working methods, future prospects of connectivity are discussed and climate change, sustainable development, multilateral trading system, disaster prevention and management, energy security, food safety, and other issues are debated.
ASEM was established in 1996 as Europe-Asia dialogue and cooperation forum. Every two years, ASEM Heads of State and Heads of Government meet for a summit to identify priorities for ASEM. These summits are held alternately in Asia and Europe.
When addressing leaders of ASEM member countries, the President of Latvia emphasized that in recent years, a particular attention has been paid to the development of Riga airport services and its connectivity with other modes of transportation. Next step is to implement the largest infrastructure project in decades - to build a high-speed railway connecting railway system of Baltics with the Western Europe – Rail Baltica, according to the President of Latvia.
The President of Latvia emphasized that the concept of connectivity becoming central in the ASEM discussions was a strong tool to reinforce ASEM. “Connectivity is key for bridging countries, regions and people; it is vital for prosperity and growth and for building trust and stability. Taking that on board, we should evaluate existing and new ways and modes to connect Europe and Asia,” proposed Raimonds Vējonis.
In his speech, the President of Latvia pointed out that Latvia always supported the ASEM process actively and invested a great deal of effort to connect Europe and Asia. In the ASEM format, Latvia has always kept a strong focus on transport and education that was demonstrated by hosting the ASEM Transport Ministers’ Meeting and the ASEM Education Ministers’ Meeting in Riga during the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Latvia has set attraction of transit cargoes from the region of Asia as one of its priorities, thus the President of Latvia paid special attention to the issues of transport and logistics during the ASEM Summit. The President of Latvia presents Latvia’s experience and potential as a transit country to the heads of state and heads of government, connecting the European and American cargo flows to Russia, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia.
Cargo traffic through Latvian ports is the largest among the Baltic States and exceeds 70 million tons per year, including 60 million tons transported by rail. Apart from the existing traditional sea routes, rail transport is becoming a major transport mode between Asia and Europe fast.
ASEM Summit marks the 20th anniversary by bringing 51 Head of State and Head of Government from Europe and Asia, as well as the EU top officials.
The Summit titled “ASEM 20 Years: a Partnership for the Future by Developing Connectivity” evaluates progress in the political, economic, social, cultural, and human communication issues for the last 20 years. Aspects, working methods, future prospects of connectivity are discussed and climate change, sustainable development, multilateral trading system, disaster prevention and management, energy security, food safety, and other issues are debated.
ASEM was established in 1996 as Europe-Asia dialogue and cooperation forum. Every two years, ASEM Heads of State and Heads of Government meet for a summit to identify priorities for ASEM. These summits are held alternately in Asia and Europe.
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