Latvia is Coming Out of the Crisis, President Says

A healthier economy, a gradual reduction in unemployment and increasing trade with the Czech Republic were the topics of a meeting of the Latvian president with the Czech prime minister.
Latvian President Valdis Zatlers spoke mainly about his country's positive economic development. He said that exports are growing at more than 20 percent, that gross domestic product is slowly growing and that unemployment is decreasing by tenths of a percentage point.
Nečas welcomed the Latvian president's assurances and valued Latvia's improved economic indicators. He also said that the Czech Republic maintains very intensive relations with Latvia, not only politically, but also in the areas of the economy and defence. The Czech Republic, for example, participates in the protection of the Baltic countries' airspace. He also emphasised that cooperation in the area of industry and trade is also important, saying that Latvia is one of the markets for the sales of Czech products. This includes companies such as Škoda Auto or Plzeň's Škoda factory.
The prime minister welcomed Latvia's support for locating the Galileo system in the Czech Republic. One of the most important conclusions of today's talks was the fact that it is important for the Czech Republic that trade relations with Latvia return to pre-crisis levels. In this regard, President Zatlers assured the Czech prime minister that he hopes for the same thing, and as a specific example of trade cooperation he mentioned Czech trams on the streets of Riga.
Nečas also spoke of Latvia's exemplary pension reforms, which will be included in the base materials the Czech side will study in preparation for its own pension reforms. In this area, the Czech prime minister mentioned specific forms of cooperation and mutual inspiration. Nečas also spoke briefly about energy security, one of their common priorities.
At the end of the meeting, the Latvian president conveyed to Nečas an invitation from the country's prime minister, Valdis Dombrovskis, to hold bilateral talks in Riga.