IRAK DIE WIEGE DER ZIVILISATION

LE MONDE LATVIA
INFO
Latvian-Austrian Relations
Left: The new National
Library of Latvia was opened
in August 2014.
Right: Characteristic „Art
Nouveau“-building in Riga.
practical implementation of the Association Agreements.
Thirdly, the process of visa liberalisation with
the Eastern Partnership countries should be taken
forward. And fourthly, the EU, while pursuing this
initiative, should be looking at the individual interests
of each EaP country and their readiness to cooperate
with the EU, and not merely apply the same
approach to all six countries.
Latvia joined the EU in 2004. What have been the most
significant changes in your country since then?
We have gone a long way since we joined the Union.
There were challenging times with the Lisbon
Treaty, the financial crisis, the enlargement of the
Schengen area and of the Euro area. Over this period
of time, we have developed a sense of belonging to
the EU, an understanding of the daily work of the EU
institutions, and also a greater sense of common responsibility
for this project. Prior to joining the EU in
2004, Latvia had an accession period, which was the
most important reform process in our country. We
were able to successfully develop our democratic system
and economy in a short time. And the Presidency
itself is kind of proof and confirmation that we
were able to turnaround from our past and develop
fast. Since 2004, when Latvia joined the EU, the confidence
of the people of Latvia in the European Union
has grown considerably. 80 percent of Latvians
have indicated that the membership has clearly
brought economic and social benefits, the most popular
among them are the rights for free movement
– the possibility to live, work, establish business and
study in any of the EU countries.
Latvia has proven to be one of the most visible
member states since its accession. Ten years in the
EU have resulted in a 30 percent GDP increase and a
45 percent increase of real wages, as well as many
other economic benefits.
The comparisons in the cities of Latvia are remarkable,
and prove once again that joining the EU was
a wise decision. Just one example: thanks to EU funding,
60,000 grants have been received by Latvian
students for professional education, 405 health care
facilities have been renovated, improving the overall
quality of life.
Just one year ago, you joined the Euro-Zone. Which benefits
has the Euro brought to Latvia?
This clearly shows that Latvia is one step closer to
the core of the European Union and is a full-fledged
member. This demonstrates to the people of Latvia
and to the entire world that we are a modern Western
state and honour the values of Western countries,
such as freedom, tolerance, individual responsibility,
security and welfare. Since becoming an
independent state on 18th November 1918, Latvia
has always sought to be a respected European state in
its own right.
FOTOS: XYXXYXYXY
PHOTOS: JURIS KALNIŅŠ/FOTOCENTRS; SECRETGARDENSTUDIO/VALTS KLEINS; ILMARS ZNOTINS
Bilateral relations between Latvia and Austria are
extremely good, with regular political dialogue taking
place in the form of consultations on a range of
different levels between the two countries’ Foreign
Ministries. The Austrian President, Dr. Heinz Fischer,
visited Latvia in the summer of 2014, and a state visit
to Vienna by Latvian President Andris Bērziņš is
planned for April of this year.
Arts and Culture
The two countries are also very close in the cultural
field, and there is already a high level of cultural
exchange. Latvian singers, conductors and actors, such
as Elīna Garanča, Kristīne Opolais, Marina Rebeka,
Aleksandrs Antoņenko, Mariss Jansons, Andris Nelsons,
Alvis Hermanis and Gundars Āboliņš, are well-known
and well-liked in Austria, and play the role of “cultural
ambassadors” for the small country of Latvia. Riga
was the European Cultural Capital in 2014, and the
Latvian Embassy highlighted projects associated with
this role by putting on a series of events such as the
exhibition “Riga’s Art Nouveau. Architecture and Art”,
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Song and Dance Festival 2013 at the Latvian National
Centre for Culture.
which ran at Vienna’s Academy of the Visual Arts in
November 2014. The exhibition focussed on the extent
to which Riga played a role in shaping Western
European culture, architecture and lifestyle at the
beginning of the 20th century.
Business
There remains strong potential for development in
economic relations between Austria and Latvia. Goods
with a value of approximately EUR 154 million were
exported from Austria to Latvia in 2013, while goods
with a value of EUR 26 million were imported. The
main exports from Austria to Latvia were in the
pharmaceutical products, electrical and mechanical
goods sectors. Austria, on the other hand, primarily
imports goods produced in the wood processing and
chemicals sectors from Latvia. Ambassador Skuja sees
the engineering goods, metal processing, electronics,
electrotechnology, biotechnology and pharmaceutical
sectors as having the greatest potential for development.
Tourism
In the tourism sector, in comparison, the trend is
already positive on both sides, with the number of
visitors to both countries increasing from year to year.
According to Statistik Austria, overnight stays in
Austria by visitors from Latvia rose by two percent in
2013 compared to the preceding year. The daily direct
flight with Air Baltic between Riga and Vienna is a
major benefit here. “Latvians love the Austrian
mountains, and Austrians enjoy our 400 km long Baltic
coastline, the well-wooded landsape and the numerous
music and cultural festivals in Riga and all over the
country“, said Ambassador Skuja.
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