Straujuma: Summit to bring us all closer to our common goals

BELGRADE - The Belgrade summit will be an excellent forum for exchanging ideas on enhancing the cooperation and bringing us all closer to our common goals, Latvia's Prime Minister Laimdota Straujuma says in an exclusive opinion piece for Tanjug ahead of the Third Meeting of Heads of Government of China and CEECs in Belgrade, which Tanjug publishes in full.

Latvia is proud to be one of the fastest growing economies in the European Union, with vibrant culture, stunning architecture and long traditions.

My country has a unique geographical and cultural position, providing a strategic location for doing business with our EU partners, other European countries, as well as CIS countries.

Latvia is a natural gateway between the US, EU and Asia.

Located on the Baltic Sea, Latvia has three major, ice-free international ports - Riga, Liepaja and Ventspils - that are closely linked into the country's land-based infrastructure, including an extensive rail, road and pipeline system connecting Latvia to other regions. The Riga International Airport is the largest airport in the Baltics. With flights to over 70 international direct destinations, it serves almost two-thirds of all air travel routes in the region.

Despite the global economic crisis over the past five years Latvia's economy has been growing rapidly (in 2013, Latvia recorded a growth of 4.1% which was the highest GDP growth among the EU member states) and developing across all sectors of industry. With the development came new business opportunities, workplaces, products and innovations.

Since 1 January 2014 Latvia is a member of the Eurozone that provides new opportunities for the industry and foreign trade.

Latvia has rich and abundant...