LATVIA: REACTION TO GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY INITIATIVE

C O N F I D E N T I A L RIGA 000297 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/29/2018 TAGS: ETRD EAGR ECON TBIO LG SUBJECT: LATVIA: REACTION TO GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY INITIATIVE REF: STATE 52628 Classified By: Ambassador Charles Larson, for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) PolEcon Off delivered reftel demarche to Maija Manika, MFA U/S for Economic Relations and Development Cooperation Policy, on May 21. At that time, Manika had no response, but promised to pass us MFA positions when formulated. Post received an email on May 27 from Elina Grinpauka, MFA International Trade and Investment Division Officer, containing those positions. ¶2. (C) Grinpauka said that Latvia agrees that food security is a pressing problem, and that the GOL supports the EU response which provides 60 million euros for urgent food aid in 2008, particularly focusing on aid to Africa. She stated that the GOL believes conclusion of the Doha round by the end of the year is important and that Latvia supports cuts in EU agricultural subsidies in order to ensure greater market access for developing countries. She also noted that Latvia supports addressing non-agricultural and services market access issues in the Doha round discussions. LARSON