Latvia expresses regret over decision by Russian Federation to expel Latvian diplomat

On 25 January, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation notified Andris Teikmanis, Ambassador of Latvia to the Russian Federation, that a member of the diplomatic staff of the Latvian Embassy in the Russian Federation had been declared persona non grata. The diplomat must leave the Russian Federation within a period of two days. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia will reveal the name of the staff member in question after the person has left the Russian Federation.

The Foreign Ministry expresses regret that it is in this way that the Russian side has chosen to respond to the decision taken by Latvia on 21 January on the expulsion of a Russian Federation diplomat. The Foreign Ministry also rejects accusations by the Foreign Ministry of the Russian Federation about the Latvian diplomat's alleged engagement in activities incompatible with his status as diplomat, and his residence in the Russian Federation as posing a threat to national security.

The Foreign Ministry emphasises that Latvian diplomats have been posted in Russia in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961 and fully comply with the provisions of the said Convention.

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