September
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins to meet with Riga City Council Chairman, Nils Usakovs
On 2 September, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will meet with the Chairman of the Riga City Council, Nils Usakovs, in order to discuss the co-operation of Latvia's capital with other cities in the world.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins welcomes Riga City Council's activities to prevent fraud against tourists
On 2 September, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with the Chairman of the Riga City Council, Nils Usakovs.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins to attend Informal Meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Stockholm
On 4-5 September, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will attend the Informal Meeting of EU Foreign Ministers (the Gymnich) in Stockholm, Sweden. During the meeting, the ministers will exchange opinions on further EU strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan in the wake of the presidential and provincial elections in Afghanistan on 20 August. The ministers also intend to talk about the current situation in the Middle East and the role of the EU as a global player. A debate on the neighbouring regions' perspective will take place with the EU candidate countries (Croatia, Turkey, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia).
Latvia welcomes Armenia-Turkey agreement on normalisation of relations
On 31 August, Armenia, Turkey and Switzerland, a mediator in the process of regulating Armenia-Turkey relations, issued a joint statement on their intention to begin consultations regarding possibilities for the normalisation of bilateral relations.
European Commission expert Adolfo Sanchez arives to Latvia
On 3-4 September, an expert from the European Commission, Adolfo Sanchez, arrives on a working visit to Latvia.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will address audiences at New Riga Theatre performance in Stockholm during EU Presidency cultural programme
On 3 September in Stockholm, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will attend the first night performance of the play Garā dzīve (The Long Life) by the New Riga Theatre (Jaunais Rīgas teātris, JTR) that has been included in the cultural programme of the Swedish EU Presidency. After the performance, together with the State Secretary of the Swedish Prime Minister's Office, Maria Asenius, and Vice Mayor of Stockholm, Madeleine Sjostedt, the Foreign Minister will address first night audiences – guests of the Presidency, representatives from cultural organizations of Stockholm and all those interested in theatrical art.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins to present awards to winners of children's visual arts competition "Me in the European Union"
On 9 September at the Foreign Ministry, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will present awards to the authors of the best works in the children's visual arts competition "Me in the European Union", and to the teachers of these students. Young artists will also be congratulated by representatives from the State Centre for Education Contents of the Ministry of Education and Science and from the Representation of the European Commission to Latvia.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins and Italian Foreign Minister, Franco Frattini, to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on expanding co-operation between Foreign Ministries of both countries
On 7-8 September, the Foreign Minister of Italy, Franco Frattini, will arrive on a working visit to Latvia, and will meet with Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins and Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini discuss organization of Latvian-Italian economic forum
On 8 September, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with the Foreign Minister of Italy, Franco Frattini, who was on a working visit in Latvia. During the meeting, the parties discussed the relations between Latvia and Italy, and noted the development of political, economic and cultural dialogue.
Minister Maris Riekstins and new Ambassador of Norway to Latvia express satisfaction over co-operation in NATO operation in Afghanistan
On 9 September, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with the upcoming Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Norway in Latvia, Jan Ole Grevstad, as part of the Ambassador's accreditation visit.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins to go on official visit to Georgia
On 10-11 September, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will be on an official visit to Georgia and will meet with President Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia, the Parliament Speaker David Bakradze, and Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins emphasises the need to strengthened international observers' presence
On 11 September as part of an official visit to Georgia, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with the Head of the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM), Hansjorg Haber, to discuss the EU observation mission's activities since its launching on 1 October last year.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins confirms to Georgian President Latvia's readiness to share EU and NATO integration experience
On 10 September, during his official visit to Georgia, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with the President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins to take part in General Affairs and External Relations Council meeting
On 14-15 September, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will participate in the foreign ministers' meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) in Brussels.
At GAERC, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins reiterates need to enhance effectiveness of EUMM in Georgia
On 14-15 September, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins took part in the meeting of the European Union's General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) in Brussels which focused on the situation in Afghanistan, South Caucasus and Iran, as well as the preparation of the European Council in October.
European Court of Human Rights finds certain violations in case Pacula v. Latvia and does not award any compensation
Commenting on the applicant's complaint regarding the refusal by the court of first instance (the Riga Regional Court) and the appellate court (the Chamber of Criminal Cases of the Supreme Court), at the hearing of his criminal case (a robbery episode), to examine a witness, T.B., who had not appeared before the court due to bad health and on whose testimonies during pre-trial investigation (including the result of the confrontation) the court relied to convict the applicant. The Court referred to Article 282 § 7 of the Criminal Procedure Code effective at that time stipulating the possibility for the national courts to examine in their whereabouts the witnesses who are unable to attend a hearing due to health reasons.
European Court of Human Rights delivers judgement in case Mirolubovs and others v. Latvia
On 15 September 2009 the Section of the European Court of Human Rights (the Court) delivered its judgement in the case Mirolubovs and others v. Latvia. By six votes to one, the Court recognised that there had occurred a violation of Article 9 (freedom of religion) of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (the Convention) in Latvia.
UN Special Rapporteur, Najat M'jid Maalla, reports on her last year's visit to Latvia
On 16 September, at the 12th session of the UN Human Rights Council, the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, Najat M'jid Maalla, as part of her annual report, informed about her visit to Latvia from 25 to 31 October and to Estonia from 20 to 24 October 2008.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins conveys condolences on death of Italian soldiers in Afghanistan
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maris Riekstins, has sent a letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy, Franco Frattini, with regard to the tragic death of six Italian soldiers in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins to take part in regular session of UN General Assembly
From 21 to 26 September, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will take part in the 64th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, U.S. As each year, the session will be opened by a General debate with the participation of heads of state and government and of foreign ministers.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins offers condolences over coal mine blast in Poland
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maris Riekstins, has sent a letter of condolence to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland, Radoslaw Sikorski, with regard to the tragic explosion at the Wujek-Slask coal mine that caused the deaths of more than ten people and injured another 140.
Joint Latvia-Russia Demarcation Commission to hold its first session
On 23 September, the first session of the Joint Latvia-Russia Demarcation Commission (the Commission) will be held in Daugavpils. The Commission was set up in accordance with Article 5 of the Treaty between the Republic of Latvia and the Russian Federation on the State Border of Latvia and Russia, providing that the Parties to the Treaty shall form a Joint Demarcation Commission, based on the parity principle. The task of the Commission is to mark the Latvia-Russia border on the ground.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins with Foreign Minister of Montenegro discuss Montenegro's Euroatlantic integration
On September 22, during the 64th session of the UN General Assembly, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with the Foreign Minister of Montenegro, Milan Rocen. The meeting took place on the initiative of the Montenegrin side.
Latvian and Maltese Foreign Ministers discuss mutual support for nominees to international organisations and EU agencies
On September 22, during the UN General Assembly session, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Malta, Tonio Borg.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins reiterates Latvia's interest in further development of political and economic dialogue with Kazakhstan
On 23 September, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with the new Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan, Kanat Saudabayev, to discuss the topical agenda of both countries that would promote further development of mutual relations. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, USA.
Foreign Ministers of Latvia and Canada discuss joint development co-operation projects in regions – EU's eastern neighbours
On 23 September, during the UN General Assembly, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with the Foreign Minister of Canada, Lawrence Cannon.
Cabinet of Ministers endorses Report on activities of Cabinet of Ministers Representative in International Human Rights Organisations
On 29 September the report of the Cabinet of Ministers Representative in International Human Rights Organisations concerning its activities in 2008 was confirmed at a sitting of the Cabinet of Ministers.
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