Riga - German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier is due to meet his counterparts from the Baltic States in the Latvian capital Riga later Tuesday.

Steinmeier, Latvian Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins, Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet and Lithuanian Foreign Minister Petras Vaitiekunas plan to discuss EU-related issues and regional co- operation within the Baltic Sea region.

High-ranking officials are expected to discuss Steinmeier's recent visit to Russia.

A Social Democrat, Steinmeier and Germany's Conservative Chancellor Angela Merkel have clashed repeatedly over their approach to Russia.

The trip was also an expression of the close cooperation between Germany and the Baltic states, a spokesman from the German Foreign Ministry said.

Latvia chairs the Council of the Baltic Sea States and is due to host the summit of the heads of governments on June 3-4. (dpa)Baltics