An official dinner was hosted by President Vahagn Khachaturyan in honor of Edgars Rinkēvičs, President of Latvia

An official dinner was hosted by President Vahagn Khachaturyan at the Presidential Residence in honor of Edgars Rinkēvičs, President of the Republic of Latvia, who is on an official visit to Armenia. At the beginning of the dinner, the presidents delivered toasts.

President Vahagn Khachaturyan’s toast:

“It is a special honor for us to welcome You to the Republic of Armenia in a warm and friendly atmosphere that symbolizes the mutual respect and trust established between our peoples.

Your official visit to Armenia carries special significance. More than ten years have passed since Your last visit to Armenia as Latvia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, and today we are pleased to host You already in the capacity of President of the Republic.

We regard Your presence in Yerevan as an important political signal aimed at further deepening our bilateral relations and elevating cooperation to a new level, especially during this important period for Armenia.

Relations between Armenia and Latvia are founded on the shared values of democracy, the rule of law, and the unwavering protection of sovereignty and independence. Our peoples share historical experiences that have taught us to value the independence of our countries and to build a future based on cooperation and solidarity.

In this context, we highly appreciate Latvia’s support for Armenia on the path toward strengthening democracy and implementing public administration reforms. We value Latvia’s support for the development of partnership between Armenia and the European Union and are confident that through joint efforts we can achieve new and tangible results. Allow me to emphasize that we gratefully remember Your personal contribution to the rapprochement of Armenia-EU relations.

In interstate relations, we are committed to further deepening cooperation with friendly Latvia in all areas of mutual interest — from trade and economic ties to high technologies, from education to innovation, from digitalization to renewable energy, from tourism to the promotion of investments, and beyond. We are confident that the meetings held and practical agreements reached during these days will contribute to the implementation of new initiatives and open new prospects for cooperation.

An important foundation of our relations is also the ties between our two peoples. The Armenian community established in Latvia serves as a living continuation of these ties, contributing to the strengthening of mutual understanding, trust, and friendship. And certainly, it is also thanks to cultural ties that our two peoples have come to know and feel affection toward one another. Therefore, it is fitting to mention the distinguished poet, writer, and journalist Māris Čaklais and the renowned poet, playwright, public, and political figure Jānis Rainis, who through an invisible thread and their works about Armenia have connected the Armenian and Latvian peoples.

I would also like to emphasize that in Armenia the works of Latvia’s living legend, the world-famous composer Raimonds Pauls are warmly received. His compositions have long been loved by our people and have become part of our cultural life.

Today, our countries stand on the threshold of new opportunities to build a stronger, deeper, and more promising partnership based on mutual trust, shared values, and joint work. I would like to conclude my remarks with the words of Jānis Rainis: “That which changes will endure.” May this thought also become a guiding principle for our cooperation, inspiring us to continuously develop, adapt to new realities, and together build a more stable future for our hardworking, freedom-loving, and peace-loving peoples.

Allow me to raise my glass in Your honor, to the prosperity of the friendly people of Latvia, and to the continued strengthening of friendship and cooperation between Armenia and Latvia.”