Latvia, Technology, USA

Zatlers and Ballmer discussed future cooperation projects between Latvia and Microsoft as well as what has to be done for the preservation of the world's small languages. Zatlers pointed out that preservation of the Latvian language and the successful existence of the Latvian language on the Internet is highly important.

Zatlers also said that he is very pleased that Latvia and Microsoft could launch several new joint projects in the near future already.

Minister of Culture Ints Dalderis (People's Party) and the State Language Committee member and the IT company Tilde head Andrejs Vasiljevs also participated in Zatlers' meeting with Ballmer.

During the visit to Microsoft headquarters, Zatlers and the Latvian delegation also had the opportunity to get acquainted with health care projects that are being developed by Microsoft.

Later in the evening yesterday, Zatlers visited Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation that has been supporting the development of public libraries in Latvia for several years already by providing computers and software to 874 local government libraries in Latvia.

Also yesterday, First Lady Lilita Zatlere visited Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind organization.

Concluding his United States visit, Zatlers will give a speech at the World Affairs Council today.