A Latvian-Russian border treaty dating back to 1997 remains unsigned and unratified, as Latvian politicians have sought to link the border settlement to a declaration by Russia admitting Soviet aggression during World War II, and to concessions on other issues.
Foreign Minister Artis Pabriks said the first stage of preparations for the signing of the document was completed March 6. "The second stage will comprise talks with our Russian colleagues on the date and time for signing the treaty," he added.
Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga in February signed the draft law that mandated the Cabinet to sign the treaty, which Russia rejected after Latvia supplemented it with a unilateral declaration allowing a claim on Russian territory - the Pytalovo District in the Pskov Region - which was part of Latvia before World War II and annexed by the Soviet Union in 1944.
In January, Kalvitis said his country would not be adding anything to the treaty.
