Baltic States – CIS, Economics, Latvia, Russia

The official reception in Moscow in honor of Zatlers' visit was attended by representatives of the Latvian diaspora, Latvian businessmen working in Russia, Latvian students, and Latvian diplomats working in Russia.

Zatlers was introduced to the work of the embassy, and to recent reconstruction carried out.

The evening saw performances by the Moscow Latvian choir "Talava" and by pupils of the embassy's Sunday school.

Visiting the Moscow celebration of the 65th anniversary of Victory Day was worthwhile, said Latvian President Valdis Zatlers following his trip to Latvia's neighbor country.

"It was worth it. I expected and received words of praise from President [Dmitry] Medvedev, representatives of the Foreign Ministry, and from simple war veterans. This was a way to bring people together, and we succeeded in doing so. This was a way to improve relations between Latvia and Russia. This is only the latest step, and we should be bold in taking such steps in the name of our future," said Zatlers.

The president also held an informal meeting with Medvedev while in Moscow. From the president's account, it seems that an official bilateral visit to Moscow can be expected for September this year. Zatlers stressed that it is essential that his visit to Moscow should be a visible and important step in the development of relations between the two countries, and that international agreements would also be signed during the visit.

"This was a pleasant conversation between the leaders of two countries, which was based on the fact that we wish to cooperate," said the president, indicating that the discussion covered not only the celebration in Moscow, but also touched on improvement of relations between the two countries, and on an expected bilateral visit by Zatlers to Russia this year.

On his visit to Moscow, the Latvian president also had the opportunity to meet with the leaders of other states – the Chinese president, German Chancellor, and leaders from the Balkans, Visegrad countries, and Central Asian countries.

"Every good example, every smile that I have with President Medvedev, or handshake that takes place with President Dmitri Medvedev or another official will reassure people that our future is secure, predictable and set towards cooperation," said the Latvian president.

As reported, President Zatlers took part in yesterday's Victory Day celebrations in Moscow, responding to an invitation from Russian President Medvedev.

Zatlers joined a group of national leaders in observing the annual parade on Red Square, laid flowers by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the Alexander Garden, and attended an official reception at the Kremlin. Later he laid flowers and observed a moment of silence at the Memorial to the Victims of the Gulag in Lubyanka Square.

The president also laid flowers at a monument near Lubyanka metro station in remembrance of the victims of the terrorist attack on the Moscow Metro on March 29 this year.