News
Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs to meet with Foreign Minister of Macedonia [09 Feb 2012]
On 10 February, the Foreign Minister of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs will meet with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Macedonia* Nikola Poposki who will be on a working visit in Latvia. During the meeting with the Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs, it is envisaged to discuss the bilateral relations of the countries, Macedonia’s integration into the EU and NATO, as well as the EU enlargement issues and the situation in Western Balkans.
Foreign Minister Rinkēvičs welcomes decision by the NATO North Atlantic Council to further authorise NATO Air Policing in Baltic states [08 Feb 2012]
Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs welcomes the decision taken today by the NATO North Atlantic Council to further authorise NATO Air Policing in the Baltic states with a continuous presence of fighters. “This is the main priority for Latvia at the upcoming NATO Summit in Chicago on 20-21 May, and the decision reached today will enable to officially announce at the Summit that the NATO Air Policing mission in the Baltic states is to be continued,” Minister Rinkēvičs indicates.
State Secretary Andris Teikmanis meets with Deputy State Secretary of the Foreign Ministry of Hungary Gergely Prőhle [08 Feb 2012]
On 8 February, State Secretary Andris Teikmanis met with Deputy State Secretary for EU Bilateral Relations and Cultural Diplomacy of the Foreign Ministry of Hungary Gergely Prőhle. The parties discussed bilateral cooperation in politics, economy, culture and education. Broader political consultations on bilateral cooperation and the current foreign policy issues were held at the Foreign Ministry between Deputy State Secretary Prőhle and the Head of the European Union Directorate, Ambassador Artis Bērtulis.
Foreign Ministry of Latvia condemns violence in Syria [07 Feb 2012]
In response to the recently escalating violence and bloodshed in Syria, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia strongly condemns these developments. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs accentuates that Syria’s ruling regime must cease violence and bloodshed, and facilitate democratic transition and reforms in Syria that would serve the interests of its people.
Secretary of State calls for dynamising economic contacts with Canada [06 Feb 2012]
On 6 February, Secretary of State Andris Teikmanis met with the new Canadian Ambassador John Morrison who had arrived on and introductory visit. Secretary of State Andris Teikmanis and the Ambassador of Canada John Morrison made note of successful bilateral relations as well as close cooperation within NATO and the upcoming Chicago Summit in May this year.
Foreign Ministry Secretary of State visits Belarus [06 Feb 2012]
On 3 February, as part of a working visit, the Foreign Ministry Secretary of State Andris Teikmanis met with the Foreign Minister of Belarus visits Belarus Sergei Martynov, the Head of the Presidential Administration Vladimir Makey and the Minister of Trasnsport Ivan Shcherbo, as well as the Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Aleinik.
Foreign Minister Rinkēvičs takes part in meeting of CBSS foreign ministers [06 Feb 2012]
On 5 February at Plön Castle, Germany, Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs takes part in the meeting of foreign ministers of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS). During the event, the minister is to participate in the working dinner for the foreign ministers of the CBSS member states, hosted by the Foreign Minister of Germany Guido Westerwelle, and in the ceremony of the Media Forum for the Baltic Sea Area.
February 5 sees 125th anniversary of first Foreign Minister of Latvia Zigfrīds Anna Meierovics [06 Feb 2012]
February 5 marked the 125th birthday of the first Foreign Minister of the Republic of Latvia Zigfrīds Anna Meierovics. One of Latvia's most notable statesmen and public figures Zigfrīds Anna Meierovics (born on 5 February 1887 at Durbe) was the first Foreign Minister of the Republic of Latvia.
Foreign Minister of Latvia meets with Ambassador of Moldova [03 Feb 2012]
On 3 February the Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs met with the Ambassador of Moldova Alexei Cracan, who had arrived on an introductory visit. The parties discussed current bilateral relations, the relations between European Union and Moldova, as well as the Transnistrian issue.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemns exhibition in Museum of Contemporary History of Russia [03 Feb 2012]
The State Central Museum of Contemporary History of Russia has launched an exhibition, titled ‟Childhood in captivity: the fate of children taken away in Latvia, 1943−1944”. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemns the exhibition and regards it as an ill-intentioned falsification of history, a misleading event staged for the purposes of outright propaganda.
Secretary of State on working visit in Belarus [03 Feb 2012]
On 3 February, the Secretary of State of the Foreign Ministry Andris Teikmanis is on a working visit in Belarus. Secretary of State Teikmanis is scheduled to meet with the Foreign Minister of Belarus Sergei Martynov, the Minister of Transport Ivan Shcherbo and the Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Aleinik. The parties will discuss the topics of bilateral relations, including cooperation in cross-border issues, transport and logistics, as well as EU-Belarus relations.
Foreign Ministry to host postmarking of commemorative envelope for 125th anniversary of first Latvian foreign minister Meierovics [02 Feb 2012]
On 3 February from 9 am to 4:30 pm, to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the first Foreign Minister of the Republic of Latvia Zigfrīds Anna Meierovics, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will host the special postmarking of the first day envelope organised by Latvijas Pasts in association with the Foreign Ministry. Besides, the event for launching the postmarked first day cover will be held at 3 pm in the Meierovics Room, with participation of the Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs, the Minister of Transport Aivis Ronis and Ms Ingrīda Meierovica, daughter-in-law to Zigfrīds Meierovics.
Secretary of State meets Chilean Ambassador on farewell visit [01 Feb 2012]
On 1 February, Secretary of State Andris Teikmanis met with the Ambassador of Chile to Latvia Jose Cruz as part of the Ambassador’s farewell visits. The parties recognised the successful development of political and economic relations, characterised by the meeting of the presidents of both states during the European Union – Latin America and Caribbean Summit in 2006, and also by the foreign ministers’ meeting within the framework of the UN General Assembly in 2010.
Foreign Ministry to inform about consular service issues [01 Feb 2012]
On 1 February at 2 pm, the Foreign Ministry will hold a press conference on consular matters where the Secretary of State Andris Teikmanis and the Director of the Consular Department, Ambassador Līga Bergmane will present the topics of current importance in the consular service, look back at what has been done in 2011 in the field of consular assistance and the issuing of visas, and inform the audience about the upcoming projects in 2012.
Membership approved for the Latvia-Russia Intergovernmental Commission for Economic, Scientific and Technical, Humanitarian, and Cultural cooperation [01 Feb 2012]
On 31 January, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the membership of the Latvia-Russia Intergovernmental Commission for Economic, Scientific and Technical, Humanitarian, and Cultural Cooperation. The commission will be chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkēvičs.
Latvia recognizes Georgia’s neutral travel document [01 Feb 2012]
On 27 January, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia took a decision concerning the recognition in Latvia of the status neutral travel document of Georgia. Thus internal procedures for recognising the document have been completed.
Minister Rinkēvičs: agreement vital for Europe’s future achieved in Brussels [01 Feb 2012]
On 30 January, at the informal meeting of members of the European Council in Brussels, the leaders of 25 states endorsed the Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union. The treaty lays down principles to be followed by the states when drawing up their budgets in order to avoid excessive budget deficits in future and a recurrent debt crisis.
Foreign Minister meets with new Canadian Ambassador to Latvia [30 Jan 2012]
On 30 January, Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs met with the Ambassador of Canada to Latvia John Morrison, who had arrived on an accreditation visit. The parties recognized the need to dynamise economic relations and commercial contacts. The Canadian Ambassador agreed with the Foreign Minister that concluding a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between the European Union and Canada could also have a positive impact on bilateral trade.
Foreign Minister meets with Greek Ambassador to Latvia [30 Jan 2012]
On 30 January, Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs met with the Ambassador of Greece to Latvia George Chatzimichelakis, who had arrived on an accreditation visit. The minister and ambassador commended the development of bilateral relations to date and discussed the matters of further cooperation.
Latvia’s OECD Country Risk Classification upgraded [30 Jan 2012]
The experts' working group of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Country Risk Classification, in its meeting on 25-26 January in Paris, reviewed risk classification for a number of countries, including Latvia. The classification category for Latvia was upgraded by one level – to Category 4, as yet another proof to the fact that Latvia's achievements in the stabilisation of economic and financial situation have been appreciated internationally.
