RIGA, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Spanish foreign minister Josep Borrell Fontelles arrived here on Friday to meet with Latvian counterpart Edgars Rinkevics and the Spanish troops currently stationed in Latvia.
Borrell's talks with Rinkevics focused on bilateral cooperation, European Union (EU) affairs, as well as security matters. The two top diplomats also exchanged views on developments in the EU's southern and eastern neighborhoods, the Latvian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
At a joint press conference after their meeting, Rinkevics thanked Spain for its contribution to boosting Latvia's security with a contingent of soldiers and described it as a "model of solidarity". Rinkevics also congratulated Borreell on his nomination for the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
"I am confident that Borrell will do everything to ensure the EU has an active and strong foreign policy that takes into consideration each member states' interests and achieves regional balance," Rinkevics said.
Borrell, for his part, voiced strong support for stability and security in Latvia, a country Spain regards as its partner in the EU and NATO.
"Cooperation between Latvia and Spain is excellent and we also see infrastructure plans... They would be a great opportunity to strengthen the cooperation. Our entrepreneurs involved in these plans are also providing their contribution. We share the same values both on the EU and NAO level," Borreell said.
During his stay in Latvia, Borrell also met with Latvian Defense Minister Artis Pabriks and visited the Adazi military base outside Riga to meet with the Spanish soldiers serving with enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group Latvia.
