News
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.
Priorities of Latvia for the Danish Presidency [30 Jan 2012]
Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs to take part in General Affairs Council in Brussels [27 Jan 2012]
On 27 January, Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs will take part in the session of the European Union’s General Affairs Council in Brussels. The Council will focus on the EU’s next multiannual financial framework. Foreign Minister Rinkēvičs intends to speak about key priorities for Latvia: retaining the cohesion appropriations at least at the current level, as well as fair and equitable distribution of direct payments to EU farmers under the Common Agricultural Policy.
Speech by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia at the Foreign Policy Debate in the Saeima [26 Jan 2012]
Speech by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia at the Foreign Policy Debate in the Saeima
Foreign Ministry Secretary of State Andris Teikmanis invites businesses to expand cooperation with Gulf States [26 Jan 2012]
On 25 January at a round table discussion, ‟Latvia’s export opportunities in the Gulf States (the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait)”, hosted by the Foreign Ministry, the Secretary of State Andris Teikmanis invited the businesses to expand cooperation with the Gulf States. Contributing to the discussion were the Ambassador of Latvia to Kuwait Ilgvars Kļava, the Ambassador of Kuwait to Latvia H.E. Dr. Musaed Al-Haroun and, via video conferencing facilities, also the Ambassador of Latvia to the United Arab Emirates Māris Selga.
Foreign Ministry to unveil exhibition Diplomacy and Art. Jāzeps Grosvalds [25 Jan 2012]
On 26 January, to mark the day of the international de iure recognition of the Republic of Latvia, the Foreign Ministry unveils an exhibition titled Diplomacy and Art. Jāzeps Grosvalds, featuring unique materials from the collection of the Latvian National Museum of Art. This exhibition introduces the viewers to artist Jāzeps Grosvalds (1891-1920) – a striking personality and the initiator of Latvian modernism – and his family who provided a lasting contribution to the shaping of diplomacy, culture and public opinion from the mid-1800s until the second half of the 20th century.
Foreign Ministry to host round table ”Latvia’s export opportunities in Gulf states (United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait)” [25 Jan 2012]
On 25 January at 3:30 pm, the Foreign Ministry will host a round table discussion titled “Latvia’s export opportunities in the Gulf states (the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait)”. The event is held as part of the discussion series titled Foreign Service for Latvia's exports. Entrepreneurs meet Latvian Ambassadors, with participation, via video conferencing facilities, of the Ambassador of Latvia to the United Arab Emirates Māris Selga and the Ambassador of Latvia to Kuwait Ilgvars Kļava.
Foreign Minister Rinkēvičs to meet Armenian Foreign Minister [24 Jan 2012]
On 25 January, the Foreign Minister of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs will meet with the Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian who is arriving on a working visit to Latvia. The ministers will discuss bilateral relations, the EU-Armenia relations, and regional issues.
Foreign Minister of Latvia calls on EU not to delay granting candidate status to Serbia [24 Jan 2012]
On 23 January, Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs took part in the session of the European Union Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels during which the foreign ministers discussed the current situation in Iran, Myanmar, Syria, Serbia and Kosovo, as well as Belarus. In the light of the European Council conclusions of 9 December 2001 and the concerns over Iran's continued refusal to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and to comply with the UN Security Council’s resolutions, the foreign ministers agreed on extending the scope of EU restrictive measures and broadening existing sanctions against Iran, including an embargo on oil imports.
