Relations between Latvia and Luxembourg

The Republic of Latvia and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg enjoy friendly bilateral relations. Mutual interest in developing bilateral co-operation is stimulated by common future and opportunities for co-operation within the EU and NATO. At present there is a regular political dialogue between both countries, including the exchange of visits and political consultations.

History of diplomatic relations

Luxembourg did not recognise the annexation of the Baltic States by the USSR in 1940-1991 neither de iure nor de facto. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were restored on 21 April 1992. Until 2008 the interests of Luxembourg in Latvia were represented by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Riga. On 6 May 2008 the first Ambassador of Luxembourg (with residence in Warsaw) was accredited in Latvia.

From 10 November 2004 Latvia has the Honorary Consul in Luxembourg - Mr Henri Diederich.

Accreditations:

Ambassadors of the Republic of Latvia:

• Raimonds Jansons (residing in Brussels, Belgium) since 12 October 2006;
• Aivars Groza (residing in Brussels, Belgium), 30 May 2001 – 13 October 2005;
• Imants Liegis (residing in Brussels, Belgium) 22 April 1997–2 January 2000;
• Juris Kanels (residing in Brussels, Belgium) 24 August 1993 – 22 April 1997.

Ambassador of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg:

• Mr Roland Dofing (residing in Warsaw, Poland). Accredited on 6 May 2008.

Economic cooperation

Economic co-operation and the volume of trade between Latvia and Luxembourg is relatively small. Trade turnover is growing, however, import of goods from Luxembourg to Latvia exceeds export from Latvia to Luxembourg significantly.

Export from Latvia to Luxembourg comprised 0,05% of a total export from Latvia, but import to Latvia from Luxembourg comprised 0,12% of total import to Latvia in 2009.

Export from Latvia to Luxembourg consists mostly of vehicles. Main import commodities from Luxembourg are products of the chemical industry and base metals /articles of base metals.

Main export commodities by type of commodity in 2009, EUR

Type of commodity	M EUR	Percentage of total exports
Total	2,23	100%
Vehicles	1,48	66,2%
Wood and its products	0,26	11,55%
Machinery and mechanical appliances, electrical equipment	0,24	10,59%

Main import commodities by type of commodity in 2009, EUR

Type of commodity	M EUR	Percentage of total imports
Total	7,26	100%
Products of the chemical and allied industries	3,30	45,46%
Base metals and articles of base metals	1,73	23,85%
Animals and animal products	0,92	12,63%
Arms and ammunition	0,70	9,67%

Trade dynamics between Latvia and Luxembourg from 2005 to 2009, M EUR

Year	Export	Import
2005	0,36	4,43
2006	0,34	15,52
2007	2,16	17,25
2008	2,16	13,09
2009	2,23	7,26

Investments

As of the end of the first quarter of 2010, there were 105,1 million Latvian lats of direct investments of Luxembourg registered in Latvia and 8.6 million Latvian lats of direct investments of Latvia registered in Luxembourg (source: Bank of Latvia).

As of 26 May 2010, investments from Luxembourg in the equity capital of Latvian companies amounted to 37,70 million Latvian lats (source: Register of Enterprises). 77 Luxembourg – Latvian joint ventures have been listed with the Register of Enterprises of the Republic of Latvia.

Financial Cooperation

Since 1 of January 2007 an intergovernmental Convention ”The double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion” signed on 14th of June 2004 between Latvia and Luxembourg is apllied.

Judicial Cooperation

Cooperation on justice takes a form of judicial assistance under the Europen Convention on Mutual assistance in criminal matters. Cooperation is also conducted within the international organisations.

Co-operation in sectors of traffic, telecommunications and communications

Communication area:

The co-operation between both countries takes place within framework of the International Telecommunication Union ( ITU) as well as through events and working groups of the European Post and Telecommunication administrations.

Road traffic area:

Since Latvia’s accession to the EU, terms of international cargo and passenger services are regulated by EU directives and regulations. On issues not regulated by the EU legislation, the international road transport agreement, signed in Athens on 11th of June 1992 by the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Kingdom of Belgium, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, is applied.

Co-operation in areas of culture and education

Ministry of Eduacation and Science of Latvia cooperates with Luxembourg within the framework of the European Council and UNESCO.

The University of Latvia has established co-operation with the University of Luxembourg under the project Campus Europae

As part of the EGMUS (European Group on Museum Statistics) project, regular cooperation takes place between the Latvian State Board of Museums and Luxembourg's Ministry of Culture, Higher Education and Research. The goal of the project is to summarise information on the activities of the European museums and develop common statistical methodology.

Co-operation in regional and local government affairs

As part of the programme INTERREG IIIC, co-operation also takes place in the field of regional development and municipal affairs to ensure harmonious and balanced development in the entire European territory. Under this programme, Latvian and Luxembourgian partners participate in the implementation of the R.E.N.E. (Rural Extension Network Europe) project.

Co-operation in other areas

There is a cooperation beeing built between the Latvian and Luxembourg Armed forces, primarily in areas of technology and training.

Most significant visits

Visits by Latvian officials to Luxembourg
26 April 2009	3+3 (Baltic states and Benelux countries)meeting with the participiation of the Latvian Foreign minister Māris Riekstiņš
5 – 7 December 2006	State visit by the President of Latvia, Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga, to Luxembourg
13 June 2006	Working visit by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Artis Pabriks, to Luxembourg
27 October 2004	Working visit by the Prime Minister of Latvia, Indulis Emsis, to Luxembourg
19 - 20 May 2003	Working visit by the Chairperson of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee, Inese Vaidere, to Luxembourg
28 March 2000	Official visit by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Indulis Berzins, to Luxembourg
25 October 1999	Working visit by the President of Latvia, Vaira Vike-Freiberga, to Luxembourg
27 - 29 October 1997	Working visit by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Valdis Birkavs, to Luxembourg
Visits by Luxembourgian officials to Latvia
2-3 October 2007	Visit by the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration of Luxembourg, Jean Asselborn, to Latvia. Participation in 3+3 (Baltic and Benelux coutries) meeting of foreing ministers in Jūrmala
26 June 2006	Visit by the Justice Minister of Luxembourg, Luc Frieden, to Latvia
25 October 2005	Visit by the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration of Luxembourg, Jean Asselborn, to Latvia
21 October 2003	Visit by the Chairman for the Foreign, European Affairs and Defence Committees of Luxembourg's Chamber of Deputies, Mayor of Luxembourg, Paul Helminger, to Latvia
20 – 21 September 2003	Visit by the Vice-Speaker of Luxembourg's Parliament and Representative to NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Nicolas Bettendorf, to Riga
30 June 2003	Working visit by the Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Affairs and External Trade Minister of Luxembourg, Lydie Polfer, to Latvia
21 April 2002	Visit by the Minister of Defence of Luxembourg, Charles Goerens, to Latvia
22 - 23 May 2000	Working visit by the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Jean Claude Juncker, to Latvia
28 - 29 September 1999	Working visit by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Luxembourg, Lydie Polfer, to Latvia
27 – 29 October 1997	Visit by the Minister of Culture of Luxembourg, Guy Dockendorf, to Riga
19 - 20 May 1992	Working visit by the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Jacques Santer, to Riga

Agreements

Database of bilateral agreements between the Republic of Latvia and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

Link on the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg – http://www.mae.lu