NEWS
ES Directors General from Baltic and Nordic countries, Germany and Poland meet at Foreign Ministry [12 Mar 2010]
On March 12 in Riga, a meeting is held for EU Directors General from Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Finland, Denmark, Germany and Poland. Read more
Andris Teikmanis represents Latvia at conference Baltic foreign ministers and Nordic development ministers [19 Feb 2010]
On 18 February in Vilnius, the Nordic Council of Ministers held a conference of Nordic ministers for development and Baltic foreign ministers, where Latvia was represented by the Foreign Ministry Secretary of State, Andris Teikmanis. Read more
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins and senior Finnish officials discuss Baltic-Nordic co-operation [17 Feb 2010]
On 17 February, Foreign Minister was on a working visit to Finland and met with the Speaker of the Parliament Sauli Niinisto and Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb. Read more
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins to take part at Munich Security Conference [04 Feb 2010]
From 5 to 7 February, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will take part in the 46th Munich Security Conference. The annual security conference in Munich is one of the major events of this profile in Europe, and brings together heads of state from all over the world, influential politicians and international policy experts. Read more
Latvian and Estonian Ministries of Foreign Affairs announce contest for Latvian and Estonian literature translators [29 Jan 2010]
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. Read more
In 2010, Latvia assumes presidency of Baltic Council of Ministers and will co-ordinate NB-8 foreign ministry co-operation [04 Jan 2010]
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. Read more
At the Baltic Council Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins emphasises significance of country representation in EU External Action Service [27 Nov 2009]
On 27 November, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins together with Estonian and Lithuanian colleagues and parliament speakers of the Baltic states took part in the 15th Baltic Council Session in Vilnius, Lithuania. Read more
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins, at Baltic Council meeting, to report on Latvia's priorities for Baltic co-operation in 2010 [27 Nov 2009]
On 27 November, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will join his colleagues at the 15th meeting of the Baltic Council in Vilnius, Lithuania. Read more
At meeting for heads of Latvia's diplomatic missions, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins highlights economic dimension [24 Aug 2009]
On 24 August, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins opened a meeting for the heads of Latvia's diplomatic missions. In his address, Foreign Minister Riekstins provided a summary of the general situation in interior and international policies, as well as outlined future priorities for diplomatic work. Read more
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton congratulates Baltic States on 20th Anniversary of Baltic Way [24 Aug 2009]
On 23 August, the U.S. Department of State published a congratulatory statement by the Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, addressed to the Baltic states on the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of the Baltic Way. In her remark, the U.S. Secretary of State noted that because of the courage of the Baltic peoples, August 23 - once infamous as the anniversary of the 1939 Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact that led to the occupation of the Baltic states - now stands as a landmark in the struggle for self-determination. At the end of her statement, Secretary Clinton reaffirmed the commitment of the United States to strengthen partnerships with the people and governments of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Read more
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins expresses deepest condolences to Foreign Minister of Estonia with regard to death of soldiers in Afghanistan [24 Aug 2009]
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins sent his letter of condolence to the Foreign Minister of Estonia, Urmas Paet, with regard to the tragic loss of two Estonian soldiers in Afghanistan. Read more
"The Baltic Way. The human chain 20 years ago across Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania helped end communism." BY URMAS PAET, MĀRIS RIEKSTIŅŠ AND VYGAUDAS UŠACKAS (The Wall Street Journal) [23 Aug 2009]
An entire generation has come of age since the fall of communism 20 years ago, setting the stage for the realization of the dream of a "Europe whole and free," in the words of then-U.S. President George H. W. Bush. The commemorations of the momentous events of 1989 that led to the end of the Cold War and the re-emergence of a united Europe will culminate with ceremonies this November marking the dramatic dismantling of the Berlin Wall. Read more
Foreign Minister underlines importance of Baltic unity [23 Aug 2009]
On 23 August, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins attended the remembrance event devoted to the 20th Anniversary of the Baltic Way in Naukseni municipality, at Ungurini border post on the Latvia-Estonia border. Also participating in the event were the Foreign Minister of Estonia, Urmas Paet, former activists of the Popular Front, the organisers of the Baltic Way campaign and the local authority representatives. Read more
Inspiring exhibition dedicated to Baltic Way opened in Foreign Ministry [31 Jul 2009]
The Foreign Ministry Secretary of State, Andris Teikmanis, at the opening of the touring exhibition The Baltic Way that moved the world in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 31 July, highlighted the significance of the Baltic Way campaign of 23 August 1989. Mr Teikmanis noted that the Baltic Way linked two million people who joined hands to form a human chain through Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, thus demonstrating their invincible determination to reestablish independence. Read more
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins to attend Estonian National Song and Dance Celebration [05 Jul 2009]
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins, on the invitation of the Foreign Minister of Estonia, Urmas Paet, will attend the gala concert of the National Song and Dance Celebration of Estonia on 5 June, in Tallinn. Read more
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins and NATO Secretary General to discuss Baltic involvement in development of new NATO Strategic Concept [04 Jul 2009]
On 9 July, the NATO Secretary General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, will arrive on a farewell visit to Latvia. During his visit, NATO's Secretary General will meet with the Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins and the Defence Minister Imants Liegis. Read more
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins: enhanced competitiveness and business environment in Baltic Sea Region - priority on CBSS agenda [04 Jun 2009]
On 3-4 June Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins took part in the 15th Ministerial Session of the Council of the Baltic Sea States in Elsinore, Denmark. As part of their discussions, the ministers reviewed the results achieved in the area of regional co-operation during the Danish presidency, granted new countries the status as observers to the Council, thus further enlarging the organisation, as well as set new priorities. Read more
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins to take part in CBSS Ministerial Session in Denmark [02 Jun 2009]
On 3-4 June, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins will participate in the 15th Ministerial Session of the Council of the Baltic Sea States in Elsinore, Denmark. Read more
Andris Teikmanis and State Secretary of Swedish Prime Minister's Office discuss EU future Strategy for Baltic Sea Region [27 May 2009]
On 27 May, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Andris Teikmanis, met with the State Secretary for the European Union at the Office of the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Sweden, Maria Asenius, in order to discuss the issues related to the development of the upcoming EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (Strategy) and the preparations for Sweden's EU Presidency. Read more
