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.

At the meeting, it is planned to discuss the current issues of bilateral co-operation between Latvia and Norway, their economic relations, and co-operation within international organisations as well as within the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force – ISAF mission in Afghanistan.

During his term of office, Nils Olav Stava has provided significant practical contribution to the development of Latvia- Norway co-operation and relations, in particular, in the promotion of economic, cultural and educational contacts. During his tenure, a Memorandum of Understanding on the implementation of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism in Latvia was signed thus paving the way for large scale Norwegian financial assistance to projects, important for Latvia.

While Mr Stava held a position of Ambassador, there have been several visits of high ranking Norwegian officials to Latvia, including the working visits by President of the Norwegian Parliament, Thorbjørn Jagland, in January 2009, by Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg in June 2005 and by Jonas Gahr Støre in November 2008.

On 5 August 2009, the President of Latvia presented Nils Olav Stava with the Order of the Three Stars, third class, for merits to Latvia and for his contribution to strengthening the relations between the two countries.

The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway to Latvia Nils Olav Stava was accredited in September 2004 and since August 2008 works as head of the diplomatic corps.