RIGA, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze said on Friday that the presence of Latvia's professionals in international organizations has been bringing both political and economic benefits to the country.
At the fifth Forum of Latvian Professionals Working in International Organizations, Braze said Latvian specialists serving around the world have contributed to the country's priorities of security, economic development and people's welfare.
More than 100 Latvian professionals working at the United Nations, European Union institutions, NATO, the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and other international bodies attended the forum.
Braze added Latvia's work in international organizations has also brought tangible economic opportunities.
She also highlighted Latvians holding positions in bodies including the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs, the General Assembly of the World Intellectual Property Organization and UNESCO structures, and encouraged Latvian professionals abroad to explain their work and Latvia's international role more actively to the public at home.
According to the estimates of the Latvian Foreign Ministry, more than 420,000 members of the Latvian diaspora are living, studying or working outside the country.
The ministry said in its annual foreign policy report released in January that more than one fifth of Latvian citizens live abroad either temporarily or permanently, while around 10,000 nationals return to Latvia each year. It said the cooperation with the diaspora and support for remigration would remain an important part of its work. ■