RIGA, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Latvia and Estonia are enjoying very close and friendly relations, Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins said during a meeting with visiting Estonian counterpart Juri Ratas on Wednesday.
"We discussed bilateral relations and cooperation on regional energy and transport projects. We were unanimous on the necessity to carry through with our current projects, including Rail Baltica, the synchronization of the Baltic states' power grids and the creation of a single gas market," Karins told reporters after the meeting.
The meeting also dealt with current European Union (EU) affairs, including the bloc's multiannual budget and strategic agenda, the strengthening of the EU single market and improving the EU security and defense policy. The two prime ministers acknowledged common interests in these areas and emphasized close cooperation.
Estonian Prime Minister Ratas, meanwhile, pointed to close defense cooperation between the two countries, describing the launch of the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) Multinational Division Headquarters North near Riga as "very important step for our region". He also called Latvia a strategic partner of Estonia.
Ratas went on to underline that the major projects Latvia and Estonia are implementing together are of high importance to the entire Nordic and Baltic region and that good coordination and unanimity is essential for their smooth implementation.
Ratas' trip to Riga was his first foreign visit after becoming prime minister of Estonia.
