Estonian-Latvian energy cooperation to expand

RIGA, Latvia, Oct. 15 (UPI) -- Latvia and Estonia are seeking to increase their bilateral cooperation, including on energy projects.

The Baltijos Naujienos Akcijos news agency reported a Latvian government spokesman said that deepening bilateral ties had been discussed during a meeting between Latvian Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis and Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip on the topic of their countries' national budgets. Both Latvia and Estonia, members of the European Union, have seen their economies severely impacted by the global recession.

Dombrovskis briefed Ansip on the Latvian government's fiscal austerity measures intended to ensure a $1.045 billion adjustment in Latvia's 2010 budget. Ansip in turn expressed support for Latvia's efforts to revise while Dombrovskis praised Estonia's participation in the international assistance program for Latvia and expressed gratitude for Estonia's willingness to lend money to Latvia to help stabilize its economy.

The prime ministers' discussions also addressed potential bilateral energy infrastructure projects and cooperation with Nordic countries in addition to the climate conference, scheduled for Copenhagen in December.