The Netherlands has offered Latvia financial and economic expertise to help it mitigate the impact of the global crisis. Foreign minister Maxime Verhagen announced this intention in the capital, Riga, following discussions with his Latvian counterpart Maris Riekstins.

Of all the EU member states, Latvia has been hit hardest by the crisis. Following years of rapid economic growth, its gross national product is expected to shrink this year by 18%. Latvia is receiving assistance from the European Commission and the International Monetary Fund.

‘We share a single market with Latvia and the other countries of the European Union,’ said Mr Verhagen. ‘It is in our interests to limit the impact of the crisis as much as possible, whether in Latvia, the Netherlands, or any other European country.’



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