After the THINK3 open ceremony in Brussels I understood that this is serious blogging competition. And blogging doesn't mean that we should post some videos what we have found on Internet or talking over and over about things that are told hundred times in yours and mines countries, EU and worlds offices. It is clear that we have to do something immediately. Millennium Development Goals isn't just few signed papers. It's peoples lives.

I agree with Jody Bush that we should ACT!ON IT. But also I agree with Benno Hansen, who posted a comment on ACT!ON IT post (on 07th April 2010). He said that we should listen again what Oliver Wates told us in Brussels: "If you’re a journalist you are not there to help them, you are there to report about them. It is a different job."

It would be great if we'll donate money for malaria nets or new books in schools. But it is a different job. As we know, not all of us are journalists. Some of us are bloggers, students, musicians, economists, lawyers and development consultants. But one thing we can. And this thing would also make small contribution. It's story-telling, local reportage's etc. Some say that one picture is worth more than thousand words. Lets use that.

That's way I will start a new thing on THINK3 - interviews. It's a great chance to tell stories. Eco-cosmetics from Latvia, online libraries for free education, commissioners in EU, local education...and so on.

Today's interview is with Ministry of Foregin Affairs of the Republic of Latvia minister Maris Riekstin's. Well, it should been with him. But as few of you might know, on 17 March, Tautas Partija, one of Latvian ruling parties, announced that it is leaving the government. This means that Latvia now has minority government. Tautas Partija had 5 seats in government: The Ministry of Regional Development and Local Government, The Ministry of Culture, The Ministry of Justice, The Ministry of Health and The Ministry of Foregin Affairs.

As you can see, it was quite different to have interview with Mr. Riekstins, although I sent interview questions few weeks ago. This will be series of Questions and Answers.


Q. How does the current founding saving regime affect Latvian development cooperation projects implemented by foreign countries?

A. Although development cooperation policy funds provided for the 2009th and 2010. was significantly reduced, however, Latvia continues to implement bilateral and trilateral projects in priority recipient countries, which reaffirm the request directly to the Latvian-specific expertise and experience in the transition period of reforms. Latvian development cooperation policy in priority recipient countries and areas have not changed. Maximize limited development cooperation budget, Latvia focused on a new, creative forms of learning and cooperation in assisting the Latvian entrepreneurs in development cooperation projects. At the same time actively use opportunities to attract additional state funding.


Q. Last year it became known that the lack of resources in Latvia will not participate in the European Union's program to fight poverty and social exclusion. Participation in the program included the fact that Latvia, as for Member States should invest 120 thousand euro, which by the time the European Union will repay double the amount. Doesn't Latvia really need this amount in order to combat poverty in its country and or dissemination of information as an alternative to cash deposit program?

A. This question is for The Ministry of Regional Development and Local Government.


Q. In Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website about the Millennium Development Goals states that since year 2003. Latvia has been recognized as a country with high human development levels, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs focuses on the eight Millennium Development goal to encourage less developed countries in the long-term social and economic development, and support these countries in achieving their Millennium Development Goals.
What has taken to stimulate the long-term development in developing countries?


A. Latvia in bilateral format for a development cooperation policy stimulates long-term development (promotion of market economy, support sustainable community development (good governance, strengthening non-governmental sector, local government cooperation), education, environment) in priority recipient countries (Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, Belarus, Afghanistan).

Since year 2004., when Latvia started the provision of development cooperation as an EU Member State, Latvia has identified a specific niche in providing development assistance in sectors where the Latvian expert partner to support development programs can be used most efficiently and provide the greatest contributions to the beneficiary gained credibility as a reliable and valuable donor.


Q. Andris Piebalgs took over the development cooperation portfolio. What is and could be the development plans of cooperation and how Latvia is planning to get involved?

A. The EU is the largest development aid donor in the world. Commission and Member States together for development aid was devoted to 50 billion euros, representing about 60% of the world's development assistance.

EU priority aid recipient region is Africa. Assistance is also provided in Asia, South America, Pacific, Caribbean and Middle Eastern countries.

Development Commissioner A. Piebalgs charge is the European Development Fund financing, which provides for cooperation with African, Caribbean and Pacific countries. The current fund (the period from 2007 to 2013.) accounts for 23 billion euros. Assuming office, the Development Commissioner Piebalgs his term of office has set the following priorities: to ensure the success of the Millennium Development Goals achievement, to follow the EU's funding commitment in the EU Member States, to promote aid effectiveness, the use of EU assistance to developing countries' long-term economic development, promote policy coherence for development and strengthening EU citizens' support and understanding of EU development assistance.

 Its contribution to the MDG goals, Latvia is implementing the development cooperation policy in the light of the aid effectiveness (low priority recipient countries and the area number of decentralized provision of assistance, the maximum involvement of embassies), as well as policy coherence and the key partner and taking responsibility for their national development principles. These general principles are intended to strengthen the emerging LR Development Cooperation Policy Guidelines for the 2011th-2015th year. At the same time Latvia highlights its potential for development in education (taking into account the Latvian development cooperation activities of NGOs and the intellectual contributions).


Q. The Latvian financial support for projects being developed mainly in the Asian inland countries. Does Latvia provides assistance to African countries and what is this year's funding plan?

A. Latvia's development cooperation policy in priority recipient countries is the EU's Eastern Partnership countries - Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine and Belarus. Individual projects are also implemented in Afghanistan, Faryab Province. The new development cooperation policy guidelines for the 2011th-2015th The addition to the Eastern Partnership countries region as a priority also include cooperation with Central Asian countries. At the same time Latvia is aware that the EU is a priority area for cooperation with African countries and has opened opportunities to use flexible and creative projects in this region, especially in the trilateral format. Latvia is currently providing development assistance to Africa in a multilateral framework, making contributions to the EU, etc. international organizations (part of the contribution is earmarked for African countries to support).


Q. Latvian official development assistance consists of 0.06 per cent of gross national product, but the 2010th the aim is 0.17 percent. How realistic it is for Latvia to achieve the desired goals for this year and whether it will be done?

 A. The limited budget of Latvia is aware of the possibility of conditions of development cooperation policy of continuity in the role and financial commitment, respect for both the past success in continuing partner. Latvia's budget as far as possible apply the EU target by year 2015. the official development cooperation to devote 0.33% of GNP.

Percentage terms over the past year, there has been provided by the Latvian official development assistance gain (2009 - 0.08% of GNP, 2008 and 2007 - 0.07% of GNP). In absolute terms, despite the economic crisis, the Latvian ODA last year has remained at the 2008th On level (~ 10.5 million. LVL), while it should be noted that in previous years in terms of digital Latvian ODA has grown continuously.


*Main picture: Latvian Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis, Swedish Prime Minister Frederik Reinfeldt, Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt and the Latvian Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins, the European Council in Brussels within 29.10-30.10.2009.

Photo: By European Parliament uploaded by Latvian Foreign Ministry