International law at forefront of Cyprus-Latvia foreign policy, President says

Cyprus and Latvia have always been staunch supporters of the international order based on legality and have placed respect for international law at the forefront of their foreign policy, President Nikos Christodoulides said.

His sentiments were included in a message he wrote in the visitors' book at Riga Castle, where he was officially welcomed on Thursday by his Latvian counterpart, Edgars Rinkēvičs, as part of his official visit to Latvia on 19 June.

According to a Presidency press release, the President arrived at Riga Castle at 10am, where he was welcomed by President Rīdžkīvičs, while a military guard of honour paid tribute. The national anthems were played, and President Christodoulides then signed the Castle's guest book.

President Christodoulides wrote in the guest book that “it is truly an honour for me to be in Riga today, at the invitation of the President of the Republic of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs, on the first official visit of a President of the Republic of Cyprus to Latvia.”

"As two countries that have suffered – and unfortunately, Cyprus continues to suffer – from foreign occupation, Cyprus and Latvia have always been staunch supporters of the international order based on legality and have placed respect for international law at the forefront of their foreign policy," he noted.

“Over the past 21 years, Latvia and Cyprus have enjoyed the benefits of their shared membership in the EU family, a development that has further enriched our ties,” the President of the Republic continued in his message.

From January 2026 onwards, he added, "Latvia and Cyprus are expected to take on leading roles on the international stage, through Latvia's historic first participation in the UN Security Council and the assumption of the Presidency of the Council of the EU, first by Cyprus in the first half of 2026 and then by Latvia in the second half of 2028.“

”I am extremely grateful for the warm welcome extended to me and the members of my delegation, and I look forward to our discussions, which I am convinced will take bilateral relations between Cyprus and Latvia to new levels," President Christodoulides concluded.

It is added that the two Presidents then held a private meeting, which was followed by expanded talks between the delegations of the two countries.

(Source: CNA)