Latvia's Ministry of Finance reported that Finance Minister Māris Kučinskis used the plenary session of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Board of Governors annual meeting in Riga to press for continued international support for Ukraine and stronger investment in its economic resilience and reconstruction. He said Ukraine should remain a priority for international financial institutions and development partners, and linked reconstruction to investment in human capital as well as infrastructure. The minister highlighted the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development's role in mobilising private capital and investing under difficult conditions, describing that approach as critical both for Ukraine and for economies affected by Russia's war of aggression. He also said the bank's role in the Baltic region has become more important in the current geopolitical environment, with investment, technical support and private capital mobilisation helping to strengthen development along the European Union's eastern border. Latvia called for the bank to expand its presence and investment activity in the region. Separately, on the first day of the meeting, Kučinskis met representatives of the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the United States Department of the Treasury, Lithuania and Switzerland to discuss investment attraction, energy and economic security, support for Ukraine, and cooperation on infrastructure, innovation and business development. The annual meeting and business forum run in Riga from 5 to 7 June and bring together representatives from more than 70 countries. The Board of Governors is expected to take strategic decisions and provide guidance for future European Bank for Reconstruction and Development policy and operations, including a thematic session on the bank's work in Ukraine.

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