NEWS
Foreign Minister Rinkēvičs takes part in meeting of CBSS foreign ministers [06 Feb 2012]
On 5 February at Plön Castle, Germany, Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs takes part in the meeting of foreign ministers of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS). During the event, the minister is to participate in the working dinner for the foreign ministers of the CBSS member states, hosted by the Foreign Minister of Germany Guido Westerwelle, and in the ceremony of the Media Forum for the Baltic Sea Area.
Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs: Baltic cooperation must be continued while respecting national interests of countries [28 Nov 2011]
On 25 November in Tallinn, Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs took part in the work of the session of the 30th Baltic Assembly and the 17th Baltic Council. When addressing the participants, the minister accentuated that a prerequisite for a closer Baltic states cooperation and deeper integration with the European Union is a shared vision and practical efforts towards the development of an efficient transport infrastructure and the development of a regional energy market.
Foreign Minister Rinkēvičs to take part in 17th Baltic Council [24 Nov 2011]
On 25 November, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkēvičs together with Estonian and Lithuanian colleagues will attend the 17th Baltic Council in Tallinn, Estonia. Concurrently, Baltic parliamentarians will also gather for the annual session of the Baltic Assembly. The agenda of the session includes the evaluation of the work accomplished within trilateral cooperation in 2011 and an outline of the priority cooperation areas for the year 2012.
Foreign Minister Rinkēvičs in Estonia agrees on strengthening cooperation in EU funding matters, energy and transport [31 Oct 2011]
On 31 October, Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs was in Estonia on his first visit abroad. The Foreign Ministetr met with the President of Estonia Toomas Hendrik Ilves and the Foreign Minister of Estonia Urmas Paet. The parties shared the opinion on the necessity to achieve the protection of both countries' interests regarding the EU Multiannual Financial Framework, direct payments in agriculture and cohesion funding.
Secretary of State Andris Teikmanis to participate in annual meeting of Baltic and Nordic countries Foreign Ministry Secretaries of States in Helsinki [25 Oct 2011]
On 26 October, the Secretary of State Andris Teikmanis will participate in the annual meeting of Secretaries of State from the foreign ministries of Baltic and Nordic countries (Nordic-Baltic 8, or NB-8) in Helsinki, Finland. During the meeting, the parties will discuss the current regional issues and items on the EU and international agenda, including the impact of the global financial crisis on specific Baltic and Nordic countries, as well as on the region as a whole.
Foreign Minister Kristovskis extends deepest condolences over death of Estonian soldier in Afghanistan [15 Oct 2011]
The minister of Foreign Affairs Ģirts Valdis Kristovskis has contacted by telephone the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia Urmas Paet and expressed his deepest condolences over the tragic death of an Estonian soldier in the province of Helmand in Afghanistan.
Foreign Minister accentuates role of Latvian Office Nordic Council of Ministers in promoting Baltic-Nordic cooperation [14 Oct 2011]
On 13 October, in the Riga Art Space, the Foreign Minister Ģirts Valdis Kristovskis took part at launching an exhibition of Baltic and Nordic designers, “16 Steps Closer”, dedicated to the Baltic Sea and its future. The event was held as part of marking the 20th anniversary since the Nordic Council of Ministers’ (NCM) Office has been working in Latvia.
Andris Teikmanis to participate in French-Baltic Security Seminar [29 Sep 2011]
On 29-30 September, the Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Andris Teikmanis will participate in the French-Baltic Security Seminar held in Vilnius this year. Mr Teikmanis will speak about possibilities for cooperation with Russia and will meet with Evaldas Ignatavicius, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, in order to discuss current bilateral cooperation matters.
EU Strategy for Baltic Sea Region must become platform for implementing regional cooperation projects [22 Sep 2011]
The European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region can become a good instrument for addressing differences in economic development levels across the region, thus enhancing Latvia's position in the region: such was the opinion of participants at the seminar EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region: Incentive for Innovative Entrepreneurship, hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 21 September.
Foreign Ministry and co-operation partners invite to seminar on role of EU Strategy for Baltic Sea Region in innovative entrepreneurship [20 Sep 2011]
On 21 September, the Ministry of Foreign affairs will host an international working seminar, EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region: Incentive for Innovative Entrepreneurship. The European Union (EU) Strategy for Baltic Sea Region is one of the EU initiatives in the development of which Latvia has been involved from the very origins of the idea when on 15 November 2005 the then Member of the European Parliament and the current foreign minister Ģirts Valdis Kristovskis together with six other MEPs from the Baltic Europe Intergroup issued a report on the Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region.
Foreign Ministry and co-operation partners invite to seminar on role of EU Strategy for Baltic Sea Region in innovative entrepreneurship [16 Sep 2011]
On 21 September, the Ministry of Foreign affairs will host an international practical seminar, ”EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region: Incentive for Innovative Entrepreneurship”. The EU Strategy for Baltic Sea Region is one of the EU initiatives in the development of which Latvia has been involved from the very origins of the idea when on 15 November 2005 the then Member of the European Parliament and the current foreign minister Ģirts Valdis Kristovskis together with six other MEPs from the Baltic Europe Intergroup issued a report on the Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region.
Ģirts Valdis Kristovskis: "We must strengthen sense of belonging to region" [31 Aug 2011]
On 29 and 30 August in Helsinki, in the annual meeting of Nordic and Baltic states’ foreign ministers, the ministers focused both on the initiative of the EU Eastern Partnership and the partnership with Belarus and Ukraine. They also discussed the events in Western Balkans, especially in Serbia and Kosovo. The foreign ministers reviewed current international matters, including the situation development in Libya, Syria and the Middle East peace process.
Nordic and Baltic countries issue statement on reinforcing diplomatic co-operation [30 Aug 2011]
Today in Helsinki, the foreign ministers of the Nordic and Baltic countries have signed a memorandum of understanding on the locating of diplomats at each other's missions abroad. The memorandum will make it easier for the Nordic and Baltic countries to maintain their diplomatic presence around the world by enabling flexible and cost-effective solutions.
Foreign Minister Ģirts Valdis Kristovskis takes part in Baltic and Nordic Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Helsinki [29 Aug 2011]
On 29-30 August, the Foreign Ministers of the Baltic and Nordic countries (Nordic–Baltic Eight or NB8) convene for their annual meeting in Helsinki.During the meeting, the ministers will talk about the EU Eastern Partnership Initiative, the relations with Belarus and Ukraine, as well as developments in Western Balkans.
Foreign Minister will participate in event dedicated to 20th anniversary of restored Baltic states’ independence in Copenhagen [26 Aug 2011]
On 28 August, Foreign Minister Ģirts Valdis Kristovskis will go to Copenhagen in order to participate in the festive dinner held by the Crown Prince of Denmark Frederik and dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the restored independence of the Baltic states.
Ģirts Valdis Kristovskis: Germany’s support to Baltic states is significant and deeply symbolic [25 Aug 2011]
On 24 August, foreign ministers from the Baltic states and Germany convened for a meeting in Binz, on Ruegen Island, Germany. The participants examine a number of topics of current interest for the Baltic Sea Region and the European Union: Germany’s presidency of the Council of the Baltic Sea States, the financial and economic situation in Europe, including the preparation of the EU Multiannual Financial Framework, Cohesion Policy and the Common Agricultural Policy, as well as energy policy issues.
Foreign Minister will participate in political consultations of Baltic states and Germany [23 Aug 2011]
On 24 August, Foreign Minister Ģirts Valdis Kristovskis will participate in the regular political consultations of the foreign ministers from the Baltic states and Germany in Binz, Germany. The participants will examine a number of topics of current interest in the European Union’s policy, such as the EU Multiannual Financial Framework, the financial and economic situation, the European Neighbourhood Policy, the Eastern Partnership, and relations with Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. It is also planned that the ministers will discuss the matters concerning the Council of the Baltic Sea States and the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, as well as issues on the international agenda.
Foreign Minister: Over 20 years, Baltic states have brought new quality to their co-operation [20 Aug 2011]
On 20 August in Tallinn, Foreign Minister Ģirts Valdis Kristovskis delivered a speech at the round-table discussion organised by the Foreign Ministry and the Estonian Foreign Policy Institute, "20.08.1991 – Twenty Years On". At the panel discussion titled "From 1990 to 2030. What have we learned over last 20 years in order to face the challenges of the forthcoming two decades?" the minister emphasised the importance of the co-operation among all the three Baltic states during those 20 years.
Danish Foreign Minister to visit Latvia [19 Aug 2011]
On 19 August, Danish Foreign Minister Lene Espersen arrives in Latvia on a one day working visit. At a meeting with his colleague, Foreign Minister Ģirts Valdis Kristovskis intends to discuss the priorities of the Danish Presidency, the situation in the eurozone, events in the Middle East and other current international developments. In the evening, the Danish Foreign Minister and Minister Kristovskis will together leave for Tallinn to attend the events that mark the 20th anniversary of restoration of Estonia’s independence.
Foreign Minister Kristovskis in Tallinn to attend celebrations of 20th anniversary of restoration of Estonia’s independence [18 Aug 2011]
On 19-20 August in Tallinn, Foreign Minister Ģirts Valdis Kristovskis will take part in the celebrations of the 20th anniversary of the restoration of Estonia’s independence. The Latvian Foreign Minister will attend the conference organised by the Foreign Ministry and the Estonian Foreign Policy Institute, "20.08.1991 – Twenty Years On", and deliver an address at the session titled "From 1990 to 2030. What have we learned over last 20 years in order to face the challenges of the forthcoming two decades?" Also taking part in the discussion are politicians from other Baltic and Nordic states and the Baltic Sea Region.
