Prime Minister, Honorary Consuls, 

It is a true pleasure and honour to welcome you all in Riga! I am pleased to see more than 80 honorary consuls present in this room, which is an inspiring level of participation, considering that the total number of honorary consuls of Latvia has currently reached 132, including 9 honorary general consuls.  

We are proud of your loyalty, continued professional devotion and enthusiastic work in representing the interests of Latvia in more than 40 countries around the globe.

I think all of you will agree that the term 'honorary consul' is not merely a title, an honorary consul combines many functions in everyday life: a rescuer in emergency situations, a counselor in the process of shaping bilateral activities, a mediator in establishing valuable links and contacts between Latvia and the respective country or region, a host of different Latvian delegations and finally a permanent "information office".

I thank you for your remarkable contributions in different fields and I would invite you to continue with your activities, particularly in the

• promotion of economic ties;
• promotion of image and awareness of Latvia abroad;
• and promotion of co-operation in the fields of culture and education.

In each of your countries and regions of residence Latvia has different interests and expectations.  I would like to take this opportunity today to briefly highlight some of them.

The EU and NATO agenda definitely has taken the most important place in our foreign policy priorities, among them

• the topical issue of the future of the European Union in light of the recent Irish referendum on Lisbon Treaty,
• the priorities and tasks of the French EU presidency launched a couple of days ago,
• the aim of NATO to increase peace and security by strengthening the transatlantic ties and by encouraging reform processes in the new member countries, as well as the ongoing international efforts to bring stability and prosperity to the people of Afghanistan. 

These are just a few things to be mentioned, but you will have the possibility to discuss these topics in more detail during the day, therefore I would like to use this platform to focus on bilateral relations.   

Let me start by referring to our nearby neighbours, to quote a popular saying – distant relatives are not as important as nearby neighbours. Latvia is not represented by honorary consuls in Estonia and Lithuania, where the everyday cooperation is very close on all levels and the contact-building is fluent and we might call it even self-evident.  Our positions in the Nordic-Baltic family politically, economically and after all among the people are significantly strengthened by a number of honorary consuls in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. Co-ordination of Nordic-Baltic opinions and actions on regional, European and global issues, as well as open and friendly exchange of views continues to be a stronghold for common achievements.

Furthermore, the Nordic countries for many years have been among the most important trade partners, as well as the largest investors in Latvia. With the personal assistance of our Honorary Consuls many Latvian entrepreneurs have established fruitful business contacts with Nordic companies, promoting trade activities and facilitating the implementation of new projects. Let me express my confidence that Latvia is committed to strengthen even further the knowledge-based and high added-value sectors, including IT, electronics, pharmacy, bio-technology. We are looking forward to developing diverse foreign investment in transportation, metal-work, wood-processing and the field of logistics.

The Baltic Sea adds also Germany, Poland and Russia to the family of partners and those committed to increase the competitiveness and visibility of the region. Since July 1 I already have the privilege to say that Latvia has successfully concluded its year-long presidency in the Council of the Baltic Sea States and I can now look back at the summit of the heads of government of the Baltic Sea States, which was held in Riga beginning of June, with delight, that this regional framework proves its purpose to determine our common priorities and interests, including, energy, economics, education and environment, and has even attracted the interest of other European countries, for instance, France, to become member of this organization.

Relations with Russia have definitely hit the top foreign policy headlines on several occasions during the recent years. Our pragmatic cooperation has resulted in strengthening the high-level political dialogue, signing the Border Treaty and preparation and processing of several mutually essential agreements. It must be taken into account that Latvia shares with Russia not only a state border, but the eastern border of the European Union.   

Within the framework of European Neighbourhood Policy, as well as development cooperation, Latvia has set as its main priority - assistance for the Eastern neighbours of the European Union – the Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova on their euro-atlantic development and reform track.   

The solid entrepreneurial contacts between Latvia and the Ukraine have been enhanced by direct flights between Riga and Kiev and biggest cities in the Crimea region. The recent state visit of the President of the Republic of Latvia to the Ukraine and the successful business forums held in Kiev and Lvov prove the close ties of friendship on even the highest political level.  In such a big country like the Ukraine, it is a challenge not only to make arrangements for the visit of the President and business delegations, but also to take care of all consular issues, therefore the role of honorary consuls in Lvov and Odessa is of great value.

The international community increasingly turned its attention to Georgia during the presidential elections at the beginning of this year and  parliamentary elections in May. Recognizing the importance of cooperation with Georgia in its momentum of political turbulences, as well as its strongly identified path towards NATO and the EU, the Ambassador of Latvia to Georgia, previously non-resident, now is permanently present in Tbilisi. Nonetheless, the Embassy greatly relies on the support and advice of our Honorary Consul.

Speaking of Moldova and recognizing the contribution of our Honorary Consul, I would like to emphasize that Latvia aims to intensify the political dialogue by establishing permanent diplomatic presence in Kishinev in the near future.  

Looking at the map of European continent, I can say that during the last decade Latvia has succeeded to develop close dialogue with most of the countries in Europe, widening and deepening our ties and contacts with each year and with your devoted assistance. As far as possible we are expanding our network of Embassies. On July 7 I will have the honor to officially open the Latvian Embassy in Budapest, Hungary.

The countries in the Western Balkans, including Croatia, Albania and Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia have approximated their euro-atlantic perspective. Kosovo has become an independent state, which I will personally be visiting next week with the ultimate goal to support their efforts of independence and the establishment of a state and its institutions.

Ladies and gentlemen,

If we look across the Atlantic Ocean, I must mention from my own experience as the Ambassador to the United States, that the scope and range that the Embassy in Washington, DC has to cover would be hard if not impossible to deal with successfully if there was no backing of the Honorary Consuls in several individual states. Same refers to the Honorary Consuls in Canada, positioned most strategically to be able to cooperate not only with the local business partners and state institutions, but also the Latvian diaspora.

Broadening our perspective to Asia and the Far East, our evident aim is to deepen bilateral cooperation with countries with a growing role regionally and globally, exchange visits, strengthen political and sectoral dialogue with Japan, China and India and to intensify relations with South Korea, Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand.

With your help we should use the opportunities provided by different international forums to build our capacities and strengthen our positions in fields like transport and cargo logistics, where Latvia can position itself as an attractive center for cargoes from North- eastern Asia.

The efficiency of bilateral contacts would be facilitated by unburdened travel conditions, namely alleviation of visa requirements, for example with Thailand and the Philippines on the basis of EU agreements and reciprocity principles. 

Dear Colleagues,

I must honestly say that in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as the African continent Latvia truly relies on the advice and ideas of the Honorary Consuls in order to fill the gap of knowledge of the specifics of these regions and the lack of expertise. I am glad to note that in the second half of the year Latvia will officially open its first Embassy in the African continent, namely in Cairo, Egypt.

While Latvia gradually builds its expertise and discovers these relatively distant regions, it is greatly in your hands to give proposals for the development of new cooperation niches. We welcome your initiatives for mutually beneficial cooperation mechanisms and increased awareness of culture and business specifics both in your country of residence and in Latvia. You are and can be not only a valuable source of information, but a driving force.

Apart from that in the modern world we have to make use of the opportunities provided by modern technologies. Internet and e-environment nowadays becomes more and more popular, blogging has become a frequent form of expression in many countries. Why not use this possibility to promote Latvia in such an innovative way.

In conclusion, let me say that I am pleased that the idea born in 2002 to organize a gathering of Latvia's Honorary Consuls bi-annually in Riga, has converted itself in a strong tradition and today we convene already for the fourth time. I hope that this meeting will generate new ideas and inspire you for new activities. I would like to wish you interesting and fruitful discussions today, as well as useful and positive experience tomorrow during your trip to the cities of Valmiera and Cēsis.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

last but not least before I give floor to His Excellency Ivars Godmanis, Prime Minister of the Republic of Latvia, I would like to conclude by acknowledging the efforts and input of all of you. Some of you have been recognized by Latvian State, Government or Ministry Awards and today I am honored to add the name of Mr Robert Rydingstam, our Honorary Consul in Gotheburg, Sweden, to the list of outstanding Honorary Consuls by presenting you the Certificate of Recognition of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for your devoted long-term fulfillment of the duties of the Honorary Consul and the popularization of Latvia in the Swedish and Nordic arena.

Thank you!