Relations between Latvia and Belgium [05 Nov 2010] |
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The Republic of Latvia and the Kingdom of Belgium enjoy good relations. The interest to develop bilateral co-operation is fostered by a common future and opportunities for co-operation within the EU and NATO, Belgium being a founding member of both organisations.
History of diplomatic relations Belgium recognised the State of Latvia on 26 January 1921. In the interwar period, commencing in 1924, Latvia was represented in Brussels by a Consul General. In 1927, under the guidance of Ambassador Mr Janis Lazdins, the Consulate General was reorganized into the Embassy of Latvia. From 1937 to 1940, Dr Mikelis Valters was the Ambassador of Latvia to Belgium. Belgium was among the countries that did not recognise the legality of the incorporation of Latvia into the Soviet Union. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were restored on 5 September 1991. The Latvian Embassy in Belgium was opened in 1994. Since 5 April 2006, the Latvian Ambassador to Belgium is Raimonds Jansons. Latvia is also represented in Belgium by three Honorary Consuls: Niels Dahlmann, Walter van Mechelen and Daniel Vanhoff. Until October 2004, the Ambassador of Belgium accredited to Latvia resided in Vilnius. On 5 October 2004, Christian Verdonck was accredited as the first Ambassador of Belgium, residing in Latvia. The premises of the Embassy of Belgium in Riga are also home of the Walloon Economic Representation (AVEX), headed by André Villers. Accreditations: Ambassadors of the Republic of Latvia:
Ambassadors of the Kingdom of Belgium:
Economic co-operation Decrease in exports compared to 2008 was around 20% and decline of import compared to 2008 was around 50%. Import decline due to the crisis was more pronounced, and it led to the improvement of trade balance with Belgium. However, it still remained negative. Export from Latvia to Belgium comprised 1,38% of a total export from Latvia, but import to Latvia from Belgium comprised 1,46% of total import to Latvia in 2009. Latvian exports to Belgium consist mostly of wood and wood products. Main import commodities from Belgium are plastics and their products, products of chemical and allied industries, especially medicines, as well as machinery, mechanical appliances and electrical equipment. Main export commodities to Belgium in 2009 by type of commodity (M EUR)
Main import commodities from Belgium in 2009 by type of commodity (M EUR)
Dynamics of trade between Latvia and Belgium from 2005 to 2009 (M EUR)
Belgian investments in Latvia As of 25 May 2010, there were 28,2 million Latvian lats of Belgian direct investments registered in Latvia (source: Bank of Latvia). 110 Belgian – Latvian joint ventures have been listed with the Register of Enterprises of the Republic of Latvia. Belgian investments in the equity capital of Latvian companies amounted to 3,75 million Latvian lats (source: Lursoft) and were directed mainly towards the freight loading and warehousing sectors. The largest Belgian investor is Nord Natie N.v. which has invested in the construction of the container terminal at the Ventspils port and operates in areas of cargo loading, storage and warehouse management.
Co-operation in defence sector Co-operation between Latvia and Belgium in the defence area continues to develop. Belgium was the first country to provide patrolling of the Baltic air space by four F-16 fighter aircraft once the Baltic states were included in NATO. A successful long-term co-operation has developed between the Naval Forces of Latvia and Belgium. Representatives of the Belgian Naval Force participate regularly in various training exercises in the Baltic region. Co-operation has also started between divers' schools of the two countries.
Co-operation in transport sector Co-operation in international shipments by road transport between Latvia and Belgium is ongoing under the agreement on international shipments by road transport signed in Athens on 11 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. Under this agreement a hexalateral meeting is held annually in one of the partner countries to discuss current issues in the area of international shipments by road transport. The Latvian National Railway technical inspectorate has developed close co-operation with related institutions in Belgium, discussing issues of the railway sector within ILGGRI (International Group of Government Railway Inspectorates).
Co-operation in education and science Co- operation with Belgium in professional education is carried out primarily within frames of the Leonardo da Vinci program. For example, Ērgļu vocational high school cooperates with Belgium in the frame of a project ”Creation of European training methodologies for ecological construction”. The goals of this project are to develop subsector of ecological building in the construction field, to improve skills of the building specialists and to create an information network amongst relevant education and research centres in Europe. Active cooperation in higher education field among Latvian Higher education institutions and Belgian Universities takes place through bilateral agreements, as well as various educational programs and projects.
Co-operation in regional development and local government affairs Active co-operation with Belgium is ongoing under the Baltic Sea region INTERREG IIIC programme. The programme includes a number of projects fostering harmonised and balanced development of the territory, taking into account regional, economic and social interaction.
Co-operation with regions Latvia is forging close relations not only with the federal structures of Belgium, but also with individual regions. Co-operation between Latvia and Flanders, which has developed since the middle of nineties and is currently being implemented under the Latvia – Flanders co-operation programme for 2009 – 2011 signed between Latvia and Flanders on 28 May 2008, has been particularly successful. The co-operation covers various areas - economy, transport, environmental protection, culture, education, local governments and many others. Experts of Latvian ports regularly enjoy scholarships offered by the Government of Flanders for seminars organised by the Antwerp/Flanders Port Training Centre. In 2008 a regional representative for Baltic states with residence in Warsaw has been appointed by the government of Flanders. Active co-operation has also been commenced with Wallonia. On 5 november 2007, a co-operation programme was signed for the year 2008 - 2010 between the Belgian Francophone community, the Wallonia region and the government of Latvia. The main focus areas are culture, environmental protection, science and co-operation among universities, and, in particular, French language studies. Wallonia region has provided financial assistance for publishing a book „1940-1991: Occupation Museum of Latvia” in French in 2007.
Most significant visits:
Main agreements: Database of bilateral agreements: Kingdom of Belgium External links on the Kingdom of Belgium: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Belgium – http://www.diplomatie.be/ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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