Latvian Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš pays a working visit to Copenhagen

During the work visit to Copenhagen on 31 January 2020, Latvian Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš met with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, discussed topical issues with the representatives of the Latvian diaspora, as well as visited two Danish companies: "State of Green", which gathers national expertise and achievements in green technology, and "Energy Lab Nordhavn", which offers future solutions in smart energy.

At the non-profit public-private partnership "State of Green", the Prime Minister discussed Denmark's experience in green energy, as well as exchanged ideas and Latvian experience in the field. According to Eurostat, Latvia and Denmark have achieved binding EU targets for renewable energy from total energy consumption. In 2018, renewable energy accounted for 40.3% of Latvia's energy consumption, while Denmark accounted for 36.1%.

During the working lunch of the Latvian and Danish Prime Ministers, relations between the two countries, the case of the Latvian citizen K. Misāne, who is currently imprisoned in Denmark, security in the region and the European Union's multi-annual budget were discussed. M. Frederiksen invited K. Kariņš to jointly visit "Energy Lab Nordhavn", which aims to increase the share of green energy in the common market. Mr Kariņš and Ms Frederiksen discussed the challenges, opportunities and opportunities for cooperation on green energy between the two countries.

During his visit, the Prime Minister gave several interviews to the Danish and Latvian media. In an interview with Berlingske, K. Kariņš stressed that Russia was a challenge for Europe and that he was concerned about Russia's readiness to use military force to expand its territory.

During the meeting at the Embassy with representatives of the Latvian diaspora in Denmark, the Prime Minister answered to the questions and reflected on the situation both in regards to Latvia and Denmark. Issues related to remigration to Latvia - quality of education and welfare systems, as well as job and business opportunities - were particularly important. Representatives of the Latvian diaspora expressed their readiness to work more actively with the Latvian Investment and Development Agency to help Latvian entrepreneurs enter and establish their businesses in the Scandinavian market. Taking into account the topicality of climate issues, the participants of the event discussed with the Prime Minister greater uptake of wind and other green energy resources in Latvia.