On 1 June, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the draft Amendment to the Law on Legalisation of Documents, providing for a unilateral waiver of the legalisation requirement for public documents issued by the Member States of the European Union, of the European Economic Area, and by Switzerland, that are required for submission to the institutions in Latvia.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia considers that the Israeli troops during a military operation in international waters have applied disproportionate force causing the loss of lives and injuries of a large number of activists on board a humanitarian aid flotilla.
On 31 May, during the Council of the European Union (EU) Ministers for Transport, Telecommunications or Energy, the ministers for telecommunications took a unanimous decision to locate in Riga the Office of the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC). By this decision, Latvia now ranks among the member states hosting an EU agency or an office.
On 2 June, Foreign Minister Aivis Ronis met with the Minister of Defence of Afghanistan, Abdul Rahim Wardak. The parties discussed the involvement of the international community and the efforts by the Afghan Government to stabilize the situation.
On 2 June, the Foreign Ministry Secretary of State, Andris Teikmanis participates in the EU-Western Balkans High Level Meeting in Sarajevo, the capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
On 4 June, the fourth session of the Latvian-Russian Inter-Governmental Commission (the Commission) on economic, scientific, technological, humanitarian and cultural co-operation is to be held in Pskov.
On 3 June, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed the Saeima members in the Foreign Affairs Committee about the project on accepting applications for the passports of citizens of Republic of Latvia in premises other than those of Latvia's diplomatic and consular missions, about the preparedness of the consular service for the tourism season, and the protection of interests of the Latvian citizens and permanent residents, as well as about the dangerous tendencies in the field of consular services due to a dramatic decrease in funding for the Consular Service of Latvia.
On 4 June, the fourth session of the Latvian-Russian Inter-Governmental Commission (the IGC) on economic, scientific, technological, humanitarian and cultural co-operation was held in Pskov, dealing with a number of topics of a current importance – economic co-operation, including the facilitation of signing several agreements, possibilities for the broadening of co-operation in transport and transit, as well as regional and cross-border co-operation.
On 4 June in Riga, the consultations of the e-PINE (Enhanced Partnership in Northern Europe) take place chaired by Andris Razāns, Political Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia. The discussions are to be held concerning developments in Iran, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, and South Caucasus countries.
On 8 June, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Aivis Ronis met with the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Latvia, Cho Hee-yong. Foreign Minister Ronis noted that twenty years ago next year diplomatic relations were established between the two countries. "It can be noted with satisfaction the bilateral relations between Latvia and the Republic of Korea are developing favourably.
On 11 June in Tallinn, Estonia, Foreign Minister Aivis Ronis will take part in the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Baltic states and Germany.
On 11 June, the Foreign Minister and Vice Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Guido Westerwelle will arrive on a working visit to Latvia.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia considers that the 9 June Resolution by the United Nations Security Council to impose new sanctions on Iran is a logical response to Iran's refusal to honour international obligations and its unwillingness to rebuild confidence in its nuclear activities. Having declined the agreement proposed by the International Atomic Energy Agency concerning the exchange of uranium for nuclear fuel, and having rapidly increased the amounts of the enriched uranium, Iran has enhanced concern about the true objectives of its nuclear programme.
From 14 to 18 June, the Ministry of Foreign affairs in association with the State Police College is carrying out a development co-operation project with Afghanistan in the field of strengthening the rule of law.
On 11 June in Tallinn, Estonia, Foreign Minister Aivis Ronis, together with his Estonian, Lithuanian and German colleagues took part in the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Baltic states and Germany.
On 11 June, Foreign Minister Aivis Ronis met with the Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany Guido Westerwelle who was on a working visit in Latvia. In the focus of the meeting between the Latvian and German Foreign Ministers there was political and economic co-operation between both countries.
On 11 June in Tallinn, Estonia, Foreign Minister Aivis Ronis, together with his Estonian, Lithuanian and German colleagues took part in the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Baltic states and Germany.
On 14 June, Foreign Minister Aivis Ronis will participate in the meetings of the European Union General Affairs Council and the Foreign Affairs Council which are to take place in Luxembourg. As part of the Foreign Affairs Council, the meeting of EU member state development ministers will also be held. Elita Kuzma, Head of the Foreign Ministry Economic and Bilateral Relations Directorate, will take part in the session of development ministers.
At present, the Foreign Ministry strictly recommends to avoid visiting the southern regions of Kyrgyzstan (especially the cities of Osh and Jalal-Abad).
On 14 June, Foreign Minister Aivis Ronis participated in the meetings of the European Union Foreign Affairs Council and General Affairs Council that took place in Luxembourg.
On 16 to 17 June, delegation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Croatia will make an experience exchange visit to Latvia to acquire knowledge about Latvian experience in ensuring the circulation of documents and information in institutions of state administration.
On 18 June, Foreign Minister of the Palestinian National Authority Riad Al-Malki will visit Latvia as part of a regional working visit.
On 18 June, Foreign Minister Aivis Ronis met with Foreign Minister of the Palestinian National Authority Riad Al-Malki, who visited Latvia as part of a regional working visit.
On 21 June in Brussels, Foreign Minister Aivis Ronis will take part in a joint discussion of numerous EU member state foreign ministers at the invitation of Belgian Foreign Minister Steven Vanackere regarding the priorities of the upcoming Belgian EU Presidency.
On 14-18 June, the Foreign Ministry in co-operation with the State Police College carried out a development co-operation project with Afghanistan in the field of strengthening the rule of law.
On 21 June, the Cabinet of Ministers supported the allocation of 50,000 lats for the provision of humanitarian aid to refugees in Uzbekistan.
Latvia commends the decision of the government of Israel to relax conditions of Gaza Strip border crossing. The decision of the Israeli government can be considered a step in the right direction that would become a starting point for a sustainable solution for the humanitarian situation of the Gaza Strip.
Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis and Foreign Minister Aivis Ronis have sent letters of condolences on behalf of the Latvian government to Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg and Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre with regard to the tragic death of Norwegian soldiers in Faryab province, Afghanistan.
At the initiative of Foreign Minister Aivis Ronis, posts of ambassadors have been established in the Minister's Bureau and have been assigned to former foreign ministers Georgs Andrejevs, Artis Pabriks and Maris Riekstins.
