Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry asserted on Thursday Egypt's keenness on boosting ties with Baltic countries. This came during a meeting with Latvian President Egils Levits during Shoukri's current visit to Riga. In a statement, Spokesman for the Foreign Ministry Ahmed Hafez said that Shoukry asserted Egypt's appreciation to cooperation with Latvia and the importance of promoting bilateral ties during the coming period. Shoukry reiterated that Egypt is looking forward to developing economic ties with Latvia in the different sectors, reviewing the economic reform operation which aims at achieving a huge developmental leap, Hafez said. Shoukry necessitated working on establishing a cooperation mechanism between Egypt on the one hand and Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia (Egypt+B3) on the other. Meanwhile, Levits welcoming expanding cooperation with Egypt in the different domains. Levits lauded Egypt's pivotal role and its balanced stances which represent the cornerstone of security and regional stability. Latvia is looking forward to opening an Egyptian embassy in Riga, lauding the role of his country's embassy in Cairo in promoting ties. Talks with Latvia's parliament speaker Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry conferred with Latvian Parliament Speaker Ināra Mūrniece on Thursday on means of boosting ties in the different domains within the coming period. Spokesman for the Foreign Ministry Ahmed Hafez said that both sides asserted that the Egyptian-Latvian ties are distinguished in the different domains. Shoukry voiced his wish that his current visit to Riga would have tangible results in boosting bilateral ties. The meeting tackled the importance of promoting parliamentary cooperation, Hafez said. Shoukry reviewed the economic situation in Egypt and the economic reform program conducted by the Egyptian government for achieving the aspirations of the Egyptians to accomplish comprehensive and sustainable development. Also, the meeting took up cultural cooperation between Egypt and Latvia in addition to cooperation in the field of higher education. The meeting also discussed the situation in Syria. Shoukry reiterated Egypt's condemnation of the Turkish aggression on the Syrian territories
