RIGA, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- The final documents for the demarcation of the Latvian-Russian border were signed during a ceremony in Riga on Thursday, the Latvian Foreign Ministry said.
Irina Mangule, Consul General of Latvia in St. Petersburg, and Alexey Obukhov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, signed the border demarcation documents on behalf of their own countries.
Mangule and Obukhov co-chaired the Latvia-Russia Border Demarcation Commission, which has now concluded its work.
Latvian Foreign Ministry State Secretary Andrejs Pildegovics said at the signing ceremony that a legally defined and demarcated state border will not only boost Latvia's security but also help tackling illegal immigration and organized crime.
The Latvian diplomat also noted that Latvia's border with Russia is at the same time also the European Union's external border and its proper demarcation is essential for Latvia to perform its function as a member of the Schengen Agreement.
The demarcation of the two neighboring countries' border is also an important signal about developing bilateral relations between Latvia and Russia, Pildegovics said.
Obukhov indicated that the demarcation process had been a major diplomatic, political and physical work, which has been done constructively. The result is important because a well-organized and protected border is necessary to both countries.
The border demarcation documents will now be submitted to the Latvian and Russian governments for approval, and after an exchange of notes, the demarcation of the Latvia-Russia border will be completed, the foreign ministry said.
