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Around the world: RI, Latvia agree to step up relations
Vice President Jusuf Kalla met Latvian President Raimonds Vejonis on the sidelines of a UN annual function on Saturday to agree on bringing bilateral relations to the next level
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ice President Jusuf Kalla met Latvian President Raimonds Vejonis on the sidelines of a UN annual function on Saturday to agree on bringing bilateral relations to the next level.
Kalla said Latvia would not only serve as a gate to the EU but also to Russia to lure more tourists from the region to Indonesia.
'We have discussed access to EU and Russia. Latvia will receive a visa-free facility that will take effect in October and we expect the country help us receive visa reciprocity from the EU where Latvia is a member state,' said Kalla.
Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi added that Latvia would appoint an accredited ambassador to Indonesia residing in Riga while Indonesia would appoint an honorary consul for Riga.
'The planned Latvian ambassador for Indonesia will not reside in Jakarta but in Riga,' said Retno.
She also said that Indonesia welcomed Latvia's plan to open an Indonesian study program at the University of Latvia.
The two countries have also traded support for their candidacies in the upcoming non-permanent membership selection of the UN Security Council.
Latvia will make its bid in 2016 and Indonesia in 2019, according to Retno.
