RIGA -- Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics met with visiting Czech President Petr Pavel on Tuesday to discuss bilateral cooperation, particularly in the military industry and transport sectors, according to the Latvian presidential office.

Rinkevics said Latvia is interested in strengthening cooperation with Czech defense industry companies, noting that a Latvian-Czech business forum held during Pavel's visit has opened new opportunities to expand trade relations.

He added that the Czech Republic is a popular destination for Latvian tourists, and direct flights between Riga and Prague operated by Latvia's national carrier airBaltic help promote people-to-people exchanges and business contacts between the two countries.

The two sides also discussed the latest developments in the Middle East, the situation in Ukraine, and prospects for transatlantic relations.