August
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins congratulates Anders Fogh Rasmussen on taking up position as NATO Secretary General and is gratified at his decision to include Aivis Ronis in group of experts for drafting NATO's new strategic concept
On 3 August, the NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen named the experts nominated by NATO member countries to work with Secretary General on a new Strategic Concept for further public consultation within member countries.
Cabinet of Ministers considers report on sectoral policy progress under Czech Presidency and planned development under Swedish Presidency
On 4 August, at the sitting of the Cabinet of Ministers a report On the progress of sector policies during the Presidency of the Czech Republic and planned development during the Presidency of Sweden was reviewed. The Foreign Ministry, working with sector ministries, prepares this kind of informative report twice a year whenever the presiding country of the EU Council changes.
Ambassador of Egypt on farewell visit to Ambassador and Head of Bilateral Relations Directorate, Eduards Stiprais
On 4 August, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Egypt to Latvia, H.E. Samah Mohamed Sotouhi, was on a farewell visit to the Head of the Bilateral Relations Directorate, Ambassador Eduards Stiprais.
Latvia and Japan highlight possiblities to expand exonomic co-operation
On 5 August, Head of the Bilateral Relations Directorate, Ambassador Eduards Stiprais met with the Director of the Europe Division in the Trade Policy Bureau of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, Hidehiro Muramatsu. During the meeting, the parties discussed bilateral co-operation between Latvia and Japan, highlighting the possibilities for expanding economic co-operation.
In focus of attention of Latvian and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers – situation in South Caucasus, Nagorno-Karabakh and energy policy
On 11 August, during the visit by President Valdis Zatlers to Azerbaijan, a bilateral meeting was held between Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, Elmar Mammadyarov. During the meeting the parties reviewed the current situation in South Caucasus region, the co-operation of the European Union with the Eastern Partnership countries, including on the issues of energy and security.
Foreign Minister Māris Riekstiņš will meet US Assistant Secretary of State Philip Gordon
On 12 August the Foreign Minister Māris Riekstiņš will meet the Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, Philip Gordon, to discuss the bilateral relations between Latvia and the USA and some regional topics. During the meeting, it is planned to discuss energy policy issues and the current agenda of NATO, including the development of the new NATO strategic concept.
Foreign Minister Māris Riekstiņš expresses deepest condolences with regard to explosion in coalmines in Slovakia
Foreign Minister Māris Riekstiņš has conveyed condolences to the Foreign Minister of Slovakia, Miroslav Lajčák, with regard to the tragic explosion in the Handlovej coalmines in Slovakia that killed several dozens of people.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins to meet with Norwegian Ambassador
On 14 August, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will meet with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Latvia, Nils Olav Stava, as part of the Ambassador's farewell visits.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins expresses thanks to Norwegian Ambassador for strengthening relations between Latvia and Norway
On 14 August, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Norway to Latvia, Nils Olav Stava, as part of the Ambassador's farewell visits.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins to met new Ambassador of Ireland to Latvia
On 19 August, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with the new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ireland to Latvia, Brendan McMahon, as part of the Ambassador's accreditation visits.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins invites Russian Federation not to delay providing official information regarding Arctic Sea freighter
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia, Maris Riekstins, invites the Russian Federation not to delay providing official information on the nationality of the detained suspects.
Foreign Minister Māris Riekstiņš condemns acts of terror in Baghdad
Foreign Minister Māris Riekstiņš has conveyed condolences to the Foreign Minister of Iraq, Hoshyar Zibari, with regard to the series of bombings on 19 August in the centre of Baghdad that killed 95 and injured upwards of 500 people.
Foreign Ministry receives confirmation on Latvian nationals detained in case of Arctic Sea freighter
On 21 August, the Embassy of Latvia in Moscow has been notified by the Russian Federation Prosecutor General's Office Investigations Committee that among those taken into custody in the case of The Arctic Sea freighter there is one citizen and one non-citizen of Latvia.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins and Estonian Foreign Minister to take part in unveiling of Baltic Way memorial sign on Latvian-Estonian border
On 23 August, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will go to Koni municipality in the Valmiera district to take part, together with the Foreign Minister of Estonia, Urmas Paet, in a remembrance event devoted to the 20th anniversary of the Baltic Way. Participating in the event will be former activists of the Popular Front, the organisers of the Baltic Way campaign, as well as the local authority representatives.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins: co-ordinated action by Baltic and Nordic countries is vital during Sweden's EU Presidency
On 20-21 August, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins took part in the meeting of Nordic and Baltic Foreign Ministers in Reykjavik, Iceland. During the meeting, opinions were exchanged on the current international policy issues, including the situation in Afghanistan following the elections, the agenda and priorities of Sweden's EU Presidency, and also the European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region. The ministers reviewed regional co-operation in the field of energy as well as the relations with the Russian Federation and the situation in the countries - eastern neighbours to the EU.
Latvia approves of presidential and provincial election process in Afghanistan
The Foreign Ministry of Latvia congratulates Afghanistan on the holding, on 20 August, of Afghanistan's presidential and provincial council elections. In the history of the country, these are the second presidential elections held under a democratic constitution.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins to meet with new U.S. Ambassador to Latvia, Judith Garber
On 24 August, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will meet the newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to Latvia, Judith Gail Garber, in order to receive copies of her letters of credence signed by the U.S. President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Foreign Minister underlines importance of Baltic unity
On 23 August, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins attended the remembrance event devoted to the 20th Anniversary of the Baltic Way in Naukseni municipality, at Ungurini border post on the Latvia-Estonia border. Also participating in the event were the Foreign Minister of Estonia, Urmas Paet, former activists of the Popular Front, the organisers of the Baltic Way campaign and the local authority representatives.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins expresses deepest condolences to Foreign Minister of Estonia with regard to death of soldiers in Afghanistan
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins sent his letter of condolence to the Foreign Minister of Estonia, Urmas Paet, with regard to the tragic loss of two Estonian soldiers in Afghanistan.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton congratulates Baltic States on 20th Anniversary of Baltic Way
On 23 August, the U.S. Department of State published a congratulatory statement by the Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, addressed to the Baltic states on the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of the Baltic Way. In her remark, the U.S. Secretary of State noted that because of the courage of the Baltic peoples, August 23 - once infamous as the anniversary of the 1939 Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact that led to the occupation of the Baltic states - now stands as a landmark in the struggle for self-determination. At the end of her statement, Secretary Clinton reaffirmed the commitment of the United States to strengthen partnerships with the people and governments of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
At meeting for heads of Latvia's diplomatic missions, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins highlights economic dimension
On 24 August, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins opened a meeting for the heads of Latvia's diplomatic missions. In his address, Foreign Minister Riekstins provided a summary of the general situation in interior and international policies, as well as outlined future priorities for diplomatic work.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins to meet Austrian Foreign Minister
On 25 August, Foreign minister Maris Riekstins will meet the Foreign Minister of Austria, Dr Michael Spindelegger, who arrives on an official visit to Riga.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins and new U.S. Ambassador to Latvia, Judith Garber, note significance of Latvia-U.S. strategic partnership
On 24 August, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with the newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to Latvia, Judith Gail Garber, who had arrived in Latvia only that morning and made a courtesy visit to the Foreign Minister in order to present copies of her letters of credence.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins to meet with Israeli Minister of Public Affairs and Diaspora
On 26 August, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will meet with the Minister of Public Affairs and Diaspora of Israel, Yuli-Yoel Edelstein, who will arrive in Riga in order to take part at the opening ceremony of the Riga Synagogue. Minister Riekstins will also participate at the synagogue opening.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins gratified about Austria's interest to take over Latvia's experience in development of Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region
On 25 August, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met the Foreign Minister of Austria, Dr Michael Spindelegger, who was on an official visit in Latvia. During their meeting, the ministers reviewed the bilateral relations between Latvia and Austria, as well as the issues on the European Union (EU) agenda.
Former Ambassador of Latvia to Austria Aivars Groza receives state decoration of Austria
On 25 August, during his official visit in Latvia, the Foreign Minister of Austria, Dr Michael Spindelegger, presented the Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold with Sash (Grosse Goldene Ehrenzeichen am Bande) for Services to the Republic of Austria to the head of the State Protocol and the former Ambassador of Latvia to Austria, Aivars Groza, for his merits to Austria. The Foreign Minister of Austria expressed his gratitude to the former Ambassador Aivars Groza for his contribution to strengthening the relations between Austria and Latvia.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins and Israeli Minister of Public Affairs and Diaspora discuss economic co-operation
On 26 August, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with the Minister of Public Affairs and Diaspora of Israel, Yuli-Yoel Edelstein, who was in Riga in order to take part at the ceremony of reopening the Riga Synagogue.
Foreign Ministry Secretary of State, Andris Teikmanis meets Norwegian Ambassador
On 26 August, the Foreign Ministry Secretary of State, Andris Teikmanis, met with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Norway to Latvia, Nils Olav Stava, as part of the Ambassador's farewell visits.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins to meet Slovak Foreign Minister
On 27 August, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will meet the Foreign Minister of Slovakia, Dr Miroslav Lajcak, who arrives on an official visit to Riga.
Foreign Ministry invites to attend seminar Archives and Other Memory Institutions
On 31 August, in the Press Conference Room of the Foreign Ministry building a seminar Archives and Other Memory Institutions will take place, with the President of the International Council of Archives, Ian Wilson, as the principal speaker.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins and Slovak Foreign Minister emphasise regional co-operation to address vital EU and NATO issues
On 27 August, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with the Foreign Minister of Slovakia, Dr Miroslav Lajcak, who was on an official visit to Riga.
Exhibition of children's creative works "Me in the European Union" displayed in Ministry of Foreign Affairs
From 27 August to 10 September, works from the visual arts' competition "Me in the European Union" for children and young people will be exhibited in the lobby of the Foreign Ministry building. On 9 November, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will present awards to the authors of the best works.
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