On 18 and 19 April 2023, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs, was visiting Benin. During his visit, the Foreign Minister met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Benin, Aurélien Agbénonci, the Minister of State for Economy, Finance and Denationalisation, Romuald Vadagni, and the Ministers for Digital Economy and Communications, Health, Trade and Industry, Science and Research.
At the meetings, the officials voiced their interest in developing political dialogue and deepening economic cooperation between Benin and Latvia, as well as in working closer together in international organisations. Developments in the Sahel, including the security situation in Mali and Burkina Faso, were also discussed. Edgars Rinkēvičs expressed readiness to seek ways at the EU level to support the region more effectively, especially in combating terrorism. Edgars Rinkēvičs underlined that Latvia was prepared to listen to, and cooperate on issues important to African countries.
In the course of his visit, the Foreign Minister gave a speech at the Latvia-Benin Business Forum, which was attended by the abovementioned members of the Benin government, as well as representatives from the sectors of information and communication technologies, education, science, research and innovation, as well as the timber and chemical industries of Latvia and Benin. Edgars Rinkēvičs with a business delegation then visited the newly established industrial zone and the companies located there.
“Had a very good meeting with Foreign Minister of #Benin H.E. Aurelian Agbenonci, I thanked him for the principled stance on Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, we discussed regional security situation, bilateral political and trade cooperation,” tweeted Edgars Rinkēvičs after the meeting.
