January
Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis and Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins offer condolences to Finnish people over tragic shooting
On 31 December, Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis and Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins in a letter to the Prime Minister of Finland Matti Vanhanen and the Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb expressed, on behalf of Latvia's government, deepest condolences over the tragic incident of shooting at a supermarket in Espoo, Finland, on New Year's Eve.
In 2010, Latvia assumes presidency of Baltic Council of Ministers and will co-ordinate NB-8 foreign ministry co-operation
On 1 January 2010 Latvia took over from Lithuania the rotating presidency within trilateral formats of the Baltic co-operation – the Baltic Assembly and the Baltic Council of Ministers (BCM). Latvia will hold the chairmanship until 31 December 2010.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins to meet Turkish Ambassador on farewell visit
On 6 January, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will meet with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkey to Latvia, H.E. Duray Polat, as part of the Ambassador's farewell visits.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins voices support to Turkey's EU integration
On 6 January, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkey to Latvia, H.E. Duray Polat, to discuss bilateral co-operation between Latvia and Turkey, and the European Union agenda, including the Turkey's EU integration course.
December 2009 sees increase in numbers of tourism visas issued by Latvia's representations in CIS
Data summarised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on visas issued demonstrate that in December 2009 the number of tourist visas issued by diplomatic and consular representations of the Republic of Latvia in the region of the CIS, covering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, has increased by 30% if compared to December 2008.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins to meet Minister of State of Foreign Ministry of Germany
On 12 January, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will meet with the Minister of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Germany, Cornelia Pieper, who arrives on a working visit to Latvia. During the meting, the parties plan to discuss bilateral co-operation as well as partnership at the regional level.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins and Minister of State of German Foreign Office discuss closer co-operation
On 12 January Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with Minister of State of the Foreign Office of Germany, Cornelia Pieper, who was on a visit in Latvia.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins to meet with Alternate Foreign Minister of Greece
On 13 January, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will meet with Alternate Minister for Foreign Affairs of Greece, Dimitris Droutsas.
Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis and Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins offer condolences over earthquake in Haitian capital
Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis and Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins, on behalf of the Government of Latvia, have expressed condolences to the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister of Haiti over the earthquake in the capital of Haiti, Port-au-Prince, that claimed the lives of several hundreds of people.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins welcomes Government decision to support Latvia's increased engagement in Afghanistan
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins is gratified about the Government decision to support an increased civil engagement and the implementation of development assistance measures in Afghanistan.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins to meet with Foreign Minister of Hungary
On 14 January, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will meet with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Hungary, Dr. Peter Balazs, who is on a working visit to Latvia.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins and Alternate Foreign Minister Greece share opinion on importance of EU enlargement
On 13 January, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with the Alternate Minister for Foreign Affairs of Greece, Dimitris Droutsas.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins and Turkish Ambassador agréé to Latvia discuss Turkey's EU integration
On 14 January, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins received on an acquaintance visit the Ambassador agréé of the Republic of Turkey to Latvia, Ayşe Ayhan Asya.
Foreign Ministers of Latvia and Hungary emphasise active co-operation within Eastern Partnership Initiative
On 14 January, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins met with the Foreign Minister of Hungary, Dr. Peter Balazs, who had arrived in Latvia on a working visit.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins to take part in "Snow meeting" of foreign policy experts in Lithuania
On 14 January Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will take part in foreign policy experts' "Snow meeting", a discussion on "Key challenges to Euro-Atlantic security in 2010" in Trakai, Lithuania.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will appeal to Government to seek possibilities of providing assistance to Haiti
In the forthcoming sitting of the Cabinet of Ministers, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins intends to appeal to the Government to contribute financial aid to the joint efforts by the international community assisting the people of Haiti in the aftermaths of the earthquake.
Foreign Ministry reports on numbers of visas issued in 2009
During 2009, diplomatic and consular representations of the Republic of Latvia abroad have issued 120 047 visas and collected state fees for the processing of visa applications at the amount of 2 846 974 LVL.
Foreign Ministry, Latvian Language Agency and World Association of Free Latvians send learning aids to Latvian schools abroad
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in co-operation with the Latvian Language Agency and the World Association of Free Latvians has put together a delivery of education materials for Latvian schools in Sweden, the Netherlands, Lithuania, U.K., Belgium, Norway, Switzerland, and other countries.
Latvia involved in providing aid for Haiti
At an extraordinary meeting on 18 January, the Government approved the allocation of 15000 euro in relief to the people of Haiti affected by earthquake.
Foreign Ministry positive about election proceedings in Ukraine
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is appreciative of the proceedings of the 17 January presidential election in Ukraine that ware transparent and on the whole in line with international standards.
Consular Department of Foreign Ministry enhances client service
From 2009 December onwards and for clients' convenience, the Consular Department accepts payments by bank cards, but in case the service is not urgent – also via online bank transfers.
Political consultations held between Foreign Ministries of Latvia and Russia
On 21 January in Riga, political consultations were held between the Foreign Ministries of Latvia and Russia. The head of the Latvian delegation, the Secretary of State of the Foreign Ministry, Andris Teikmanis, and the head of the Russian delegation, Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia, Vladimir Titov, discussed a broad scope of bilateral and current international topics.
Foreign Ministry Secretary of State, Andris Teikmanis, to take part at General Affairs Council and External Relations Council
On 25 January, the Secretary of State of the Foreign Ministry, Andris Teikmanis, will participate at the meetings of the General Affairs Council and External Relations Council in Brussels.
Foreign Ministry to mark de iure recognition of Latvia
With a series of events on 26-27 January, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will commemorate the day of the international recognition of the Republic of Latvia, thus accentuating diplomats' contribution and the importance of the de iure status for the establishment and development of statehood of Latvia.
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins to introduce his vision on foreign policy of Latvia and common foreign policy for Europe
On 27 January, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will present his academic report entitled "Foreign policy of Latvia and a common foreign policy for Europe" at the opening of the 68th Research Conference of the University of Latvia.
On De iure Day, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins highlights contribution by foreign service to formation of Latvia's statehood
On 26 January, marking the anniversary of the international recognition of Latvia, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins presented certificates of appreciation to 32 Foreign Ministry employees and to 22 representatives from other public and private sector institutions, including the Head of the European Commission Representation in Latvia, the Honorary Consul of Latvia in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Director of the Academic Library, the Culture Assistant of the French Culture Centre, the President of the Employers' Confederation of Latvia, and the Mayor of Poltsamaa Municipality, Estonia.
Foreign Ministry Secretary of State, Andris Teikmanis attended meetings of General Affairs Council and External Relations Council
At the EU's General Affairs Council on 25 January in Brussels, Spain presented the priorities of its presidency: implementation of the Treaty of Lisbon, promoting the recovery of Europe from economic crisis and launching the EU 2020 strategy, strengthening the EU as a global player, and fostering the rights and freedoms of EU citizens.
Latvian and Estonian Ministries of Foreign Affairs announce contest for Latvian and Estonian literature translators
On 28th January, laying the foundations of a tradition to present an annual award of Latvian and Estonian Ministries of Foreign Affairs to Latvian and Estonian language translators, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Māris Riekstiņš and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia Urmas Paet signed the Regulation on Translators' Award.
Agreement signed on defining intersection point for borders of Latvia, Belarus and Russia
On 28 January in Minsk, parties signed an Agreement of Government of the Republic of Latvia, Government of the Republic of Belarus and Government of the Russian Federation on defining the point of intersection of borders of the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation.
