Latvia minister: 2012 not the best of years for relations with Russia

RIGA. Jan 4 (Interfax/BNS) - Latvia's foreign minister argued on Friday that 2012 was not a very successful year for the Baltic country's relations with Russia, and that there were many objective reasons for this.

However, "we are optimists, and there exists a potential for progress in our political and economic relations," Edgars Rinkevics told the Baltic News Agency (BNS).

Rinkevics brushed aside allegations by Russian officials that neo-Nazism is being revived in his country. "At the same time, we can see young people with Nazi symbols march through the center of Moscow, and they don't get detained immediately, this gets done afterward," he said.

He argued that Latvia and Russia are seeking to go back to a more positive dialogue.

"I want to hope that we will hear foreign diplomats make less frequent comments on the activities of the ruling coalition or the work of the Latvian government, which we can see in various interviews. That doesn't help build a positive atmosphere. I hope that in the new year resources for action will be found on both sides," he said.

He also said he would welcome more positive dynamics in Russia's relations with the European Union and NATO. Latvian-Russian relations largely depend on Russia's relations with the EU and the North Atlantic alliance, he added.

As positive aspects of Latvian-Russian relations, he pointed out growing economic cooperation, joint action against drug trafficking and sea piracy, and collaboration in transporting non-military cargo to Afghanistan.

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