Relations between Latvia and Malta

FOI President Adrian Bajada and Vitalijs Gavrilovs, president of Employers' Confederation of Latvia, signed a co-operation agreement during Mr Bajada's visit to Riga on Monday. Mr Bajada formed part of the business delegation accompanying Foreign Minister Michael Frendo during the state visit to Latvia of President Eddie Fenech Adami.

The agreement was drawn to pursue greater economic co-operation between the two countries and to foster mutual co-operation in lobbying employers' interests at the national, European and international levels, as well as the need to establish direct business contacts between business communities of both Latvia and Malta.

Among the objectives of the agreement are a mutual exchange of information and best practice on representation of interests of member companies and organisation through dialogue with social partners, as well as services provided to member companies.

Both bodies confirmed their commitment to harmonise their positions on legislative initiatives discussed in the framework or tripartite consultations at the European Commission, with both parties undertaking to inform each other about any legislation introduced by any of them.

The recognition of the International Labour Organisation as one of the main institutions establishing international labour standards through its conventions and recommendations was also confirmed through this agreement, as was the two organisation's commitment to promote the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility.