On December 10 President of the Republic o Latvia visited Yerevan State University.

President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers is in Armenia on a three-day visit by the invitation of the RA President Serzh Sargsyan. The delegation of Latvia is: Ministers of Economy, Internal Affairs, Nature Protection, Chairman of the Parliamentary Commission on Foreign Affairs and other officials.

YSU Rector Aram Simonyan, welcoming the President of Latvia, said: "Despite the fact the cooperation between our countries has not got rich background, however, your moral support during the independence restoration years is bright in our memory".

President Zatlers noted that he had worked as an orthopedic surgeon for more than 30 years before he was elected the president of Latvia in 2007.

"Our countries, in the first years of their independence, have made a very important step: established universities. Our countries are similar in this case", - said Valdis Zatlers.

The President raised in his speech the issues of Latvia and Armenia in the context of European cooperation.

He noted that Latvia, in the process of European integration has chosen the priority of rule of law, principles of fundamental freedoms, tolerance and democracy. According to the president, people of Latvia have made the right choice, because freedom plays a crucial role in economic development, and this greatly contributes to the convergence of countries.

Mr. Zatlers said he is pleased with the ongoing reforms in his country and said that Latvia, as a small country geographically, needs the cooperation with markets of European countries.

Speaking about the fundamental freedoms, the president emphasized economic freedom and the opportunity of free transit, focusing on the easing of the visa regime. "Latvia is a member of Schengen and also does not have the visa regime with the United States," - said the president.

Then Mr. Zatlers answered students' questions, which mainly focused on the European Union and NATO ? Latvia cooperation and relations.

On a question from a student how Mr. Zalters assesses the environmental situation in Latvia, the president gave a positive response, noting that 30 percent of the Republic of Latvia territory are woods.

YSU Scientific Secretary Vahram Petrosyan reminded that in 1944 Latvia lost some of its territories, which passed under the control of Russia. The president's position was as follows: "In the early 90's the Latvian parliament did not recognize the loss of these lands, but in 2007 Latvia and Russia signed a treaty according to which Latvia has no longer territorial claims to Russia", - explained the president of Latvia, and added that one of the most important conditions for the EU membership is the absence of potential conflicts. The president said the decision was very brave and decisive step, as it was paramount to the stability of the country.

In the end of the meeting Rector of Yerevan State University awarded Valdis Zatlers with YSU Gold medal and the Degree of Honorable Doctor of YSU.