Latvia hopes bilateral relations with Indonesia could be improved.Currently, Latvia has had two Honorary Consul based in Jakarta and Bandung.
Similarly, Latvian Foreign Ministry State Secretary Andris Teikmanis in the seminar with the theme of ASEAN, EU and Open Regionalism: Its Relevance for the Indonesia-Latvian Relations at the University of Latvia, as stated Minister Counsellor Embassy in Stockholm Endang Politics Wirawan told AFP on Tuesday (17/05/2011).
This is the third seminar held Embassy in Stockholm at the University of Latvia, since the opening of the Latvian-Indonesian diplomatic relations in 1990.
According Teikmanis, this seminar is one way to improve relations, especially the public and student understanding about Indonesia Latvia which are important players in the region.
"Hopefully this initiative will further encourage people-to-people contact between the two countries that are geographically very far apart," explained Teikmanis.
It is said, that the Latvian Foreign Ministry is currently supporting the full opening of Indonesian Studies program at the University of Latvia, which was opened in 2011 is planned.
In terms of inter-governmental relations, Latvia is also one of three countries that have ratified the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) of Indonesia with the European Union (EU).
"This shows the seriousness of Latvia efforts to improve relations with Indonesia," said Teikmanis.
Meanwhile kuai Elmar Lopez said that this seminar is a step which, although small, but very important in order to promote and improve understanding between Indonesia and Latvia.
Furthermore, such activities can also make an important contribution in encouraging and supporting cooperation between the two countries in the future, both in the bilateral framework and in the context of regional cooperation between ASEAN and EU.
"The theme chosen is also a reflection of the fact the development of open societies and open regionalism in international relations order," said Elmar.
