Just days after returning from a weeklong trip to the United States, Latvian President Valdis Zatlers is heading abroad again. This time it is for a state visit to the Central Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.

Joining the president on the Oct. 2-9 trip will be his spouse, Lilita Zatlers, and a delegation of Latvian officials and business representatives. The group is expected to meet with government leaders in each of the three nations, a spokesperson for the president said in a press release.

Zatlers also is scheduled to speak at universities in all three countries. His presentation will focus on the European Union’s cooperation with the region as well as the region’s role in the world.

During the past year, according to the press release, relations between Latvia and the Central Asian countries have improved, but are from optimal.

“Our—the European—collective responsibility is to consider the further political and economic dialogue in Central Asia, which must become an important partner as we search for alternative sources and providers of energy,” Zatlers said in advance of the trip.

The president also is expected to visit sites memorializing victims of Soviet repression, according to the press release.

Latvia has embassies in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The Latvian ambassador to Uzbekistan, Igors Apokins, also is the nonresident ambassador to Turkmenistan.

A new 10-lat banknote that looks essentially the same as those already in circulation, but with better protection against counterfeiting, is to be released Oct. 1 by the Bank of Latvia.

The anti-counterfeiting elements already are used in the latest 5-lat and 20-lat notes, according to a Sept. 30 press release from the central bank. The front of the new 10-lat note includes two “10” symbols imprinted in relief above the translucent oak leaf. Also on the front, the large “10” is printed with a special ink that gives the illusion of changing colors when the bill is held at different angles.

The need for the new 10-lat note was driven by demand for the currency, according to the press release. Due to normal wear and tear, the average lifespan of a 10-lat note is 1.6 years. Last year alone the central bank removed from circulation and destroyed 4.6 million 10-lat notes.

The new notes were printed by Giesecke & Devrient, the same German company that has printed other Latvian banknotes.

Holders of earlier 10-lat banknotes issued in 1992 or 2000 may continue to use them as they remain legal tender.