Ukraine will officially ask the Latvian government to act as a third party in three court cases that were open at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) to meet Ukraine's claims against Russia, Ukrainian Justice Minister Pavlo Petrenko said at a meeting with Latvian Justice Ministry delegates led by Minister Gaidis Berzins, the Ukrainian Justice Ministry's press service said.
“It is very important to us as it is a serious political message that Europe and the European Union do not leave us face-to-face with the Russian Federation, including in court battles,” he said.
Berzins in turn said that he sees no obstacles to involving Latvia in Ukraine’s ECHR legal action.
“I will of course check it with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, as it’s him who is responsible and authorized to present interests at the ECHR, and inform him about your suggestion. As for me, I see no obstacles to Latvia’s participation in these processes as a third party,” he added.
The Latvian minister also suggested sharing information and experience of reform in Latvia.
“At the end of the meeting, we’ll provide [you] with information about our reform. First of all, it will concern changes in the judicial system. If our experience looks interesting to you, we are ready to invite Ukrainian experts in charge of courts,” Berzins said.
Petrenko thanked his Latvian counterpart for the proposal and said that Ukraine needs that.
The sides also discussed important issues, including deeper cooperation between the ministries at the international level and operational issues regarding relations between Ukraine and Latvia within the ministries’ competence.
