Prime Minster and Foreign Minister inaugurate building of Latvian Permanent Mission to EU in Brussels

On 12 March in Brussels, in the presence of Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis and Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins, the new building of the Latvian Permanent Mission to the EU was formally inaugurated. The ceremony was attended by a number of senior officials from Latvian and EU institutions and foreign diplomats.    

Addressing the guests, Minister Riekstins called to mind that the Latvian Permanent Mission to the EU is the largest Latvian diplomatic representation abroad. Today, in the 90^th year of the state, diplomatic endeavour of the Republic of Latvia focuses on Brussels and the decisions unanimously adopted by the EU increasingly influence our everyday life.     

The Latvian Foreign Minister thanked the staff of the Mission for the work achieved. Since the renewal of Latvia's diplomatic presence in Brussels in 1992, they have ensured efficient connection between Latvian and EU institutions both during the process of EU accession talks with our state and now, for the fourth year, working as representatives of a full-fledged member state of the Union.   

The Minister wished for the new building to become a genuine Latvian house in Brussels, a place, where Latvians could gather, and the inhabitants of Brussels and all guests of the diplomatic representation could learn more about Latvia, its people, and its culture.

Throughout the evening the guests were able to view an exhibition with works of the Art Academy of Latvia, organised with the kind support of the Rector, Professor Aleksejs Naumovs and the Pro-Rector, Professor Kristaps Zarins. The display presents a general insight into the trends of contemporary Latvian painting; it will be on view in Brussels by the beginning of summer.

As reported previously, since 25 January the Latvian Permanent Mission to the EU has been working in a new building located in the centre of Brussels, in a part of the city, which is commonly referred to as 'the European quarter', near the premises of the Council of the European Union, the European Commission, and the European Parliament. The building contains spacious representation rooms suitable for hosting receptions and art events. 

(end of text)