12 July 2013 – Ambassador Patricia Ann V. Paez presented her Letters of Credence as the Philippines’ non-resident ambassador to Latvia to Latvian President Andris Berzins at the Balckheads’ House on June 18 and met with various government officials and members of the private sector during her visit to the country’s capital, Riga.

After the ceremony for the presentation of credentials, Ambassador Paez had a meeting with President Berzins where the latter noted the “good relations” between the Philippines and Latvia.

Ambassador Paez conveyed President Benigno S. Aquino III’s cordial greetings to President Berzins and informed him that the Philippines GDP growth for the first quarter of 2013 was 7.8% - the highest in Asia. She added that the country has received investment grade status from international credit rating agencies and is now hailed as “Asia’s rising new tiger.

In the same plane, Ambassador Paez noted that Latvia’s stature in the Baltics and in the European Union (EU) is steadily increasing, especially with the recovery and regained vitality of Latvia’s economy, its imminent membership in the “eurozone,” and its presidency of the EU Council in 2014.

Given the dynamism of their respective economies, both recognized the need to improve bilateral trade relations between the two countries. They also discussed other issues of mutual interest to both the Philippines and Latvia.

Also present during their meeting were Adviser to the President on Foreign Affairs Ambassador Margers Krams and Philippine Honorary Consul to Latvia Dmitris Trofimovs.

During her visit to Latvia from June 17 to 18, Ambassador Paez also met with Foreign State Secretary Andrejs Pildegovics; Head of State Protocol, Ambassador Veronika Erfe; Foreign Ministry Head of the Asia, Africa and Oceania Division Mrs. Judith Dobele; Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mrs. Inese Libina-Egners; Director of the Department of Policy Initiatives and Development, Ms. Liga Lejina; Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce Mr. Janis Endzins; the Chamber’s Advisor of the Board in foreign relations Mr. Martins Perts; Managing Director of Banita Tour Ms. Valerja Januska; and Board Member and Director for Business Development of X Infotech Mr. Sergeis Jelisejevs. END