THE RESPONSE of the Government to the Lisbon Treaty referendum result and the international financial crisis were among the topics discussed by the Taoiseach Brian Cowen and the Latvian president Valdis Zatlers when they met in Dublin yesterday.
Mr Zatlers is on an official State visit to Ireland. He and Mr Cowen had what was described as a friendly and constructive meeting in Government Buildings yesterday afternoon.
A Government spokesman said: "They discussed the growing bilateral relations between Ireland and Latvia, including the substantial Latvian population now in Ireland.
"They also discussed the current international economic and financial turmoil and its impact on domestic economies and relations between the EU and Russia following the Russia-Georgia conflict earlier in the year."
The spokesman said Mr Cowen had briefed Mr Zatlers on the state of play regarding the Lisbon Treaty in Ireland. Mr Cowen said he intended to discuss the matter further at the December European Council.
"Both leaders stressed the close relationship between Ireland and Latvia and reaffirmed their intention that both countries would work closely together within the EU," the spokesman added.
Later today, Mr Zatlers will meet members of the Latvian community in Limerick as he continues his three-day visit. The meeting will coincide with the 90th anniversary of Latvia's first period of independence.
After lunch, with the Mayor of Limerick John Gilligan and his wife Carmel, Mr Zatlers will visit Cook Medical at the National Technological Park, in Plassey, to talk with Latvian workers there.
He will then make a trip to Bunratty Castle before heading back to City Hall to open the exhibition of work from the Latvian People's Front Museum, The Singing Revolution: From the Renaissance to the European Union, which features photographs and documents from the Latvian National Renaissance which led to Latvia regaining independence in 1991.
In 1988, Mr Zatlers was an activist in the People's Front and a member of its council supporting the restoration of Latvian independence.
Mr Gilligan said: "I know that the many Latvians who live in our city will be honoured and excited that President Zatlers is visiting Limerick and opening such a wonderful exhibition rich in their culture and history."