Diplomatic Relations

Algeria recognised the independence of the Latvian state on 27 September 1991. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on 29 April 1998. On 27 November 2007, Abdelaziz Lahiouel became the first Algerian Ambassdor to Latvia.

Exchange of visits

On 25 June 1999, Rolands Lappuke, Charge d'Affaires to Portugal met with El - Haoues Riache, the Ambassador of Algeria to Portugal.

In 2000, during the UN Millennium Assembly in New York, the then President of Latvia, Vaira Vike-Freiberga, held an informal meeting with President Abdulaziz Buteflik of Algeria, who invited President Vike-Freiberga to visit Algeria.

Economic co-operation

Economic relations between the two countries have a unilateral character as since 1999, only exports to Algeria have been registered in Latvia's foreign trade, and no imports from this country to Latvia have taken place. 

Over recent years, Latvia's exports to Algeria traditionally feature two groups of commodities - metals (iron and steel rods) and timber products (sawn wood). In 2005 and 2006, metals (iron and steel rods) accounted for 99% of Latvia's total exports to Algeria, whereas in 2004, and estimated 86% of the exported goods consisted of timber products (wood sawn or chipped lengthwise). Also in 2003, exports consisted of timber products and iron and steel rods.

The background for strengthening economic co-operation between Latvia as an EU Member State and Algeria is provided by a Euro-Mediterranean agreement (the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, of the other part) of 1 September 2005, which stipulates that partners shall progressively establish a greater liberalization of the reciprocal trade.

Co-operation potential between Latvia and Algeria has not been exhausted, and given the co-operation experience which Latvian companies have acquired so far in the field of export to Algeria, it is possible to boost the volumes of reciprocal trade (Latvia's exports).

Trade

(according to data from the Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia)

Q2 2007

• Export

1. Lithuania - 454,806,549 USD or 13.76% of total exports from Latvia

2. Estonia - 437,091,217 USD or 13.22 %

3. Russian Federation - 339,883,752 USD or10.28%

4. Germany - 286,313,650 USD or 8.66%

5. United Kingdom - 243 271 992 USD jeb 7.37%

69.  Algeria  - 831, 659 USD or 0,03% 

• Import

1. Germany - 945,815,660 USD or 14.68% of total imports to Latvia

2. Lithuania - 859,915,900 USD or 13.32%

3. Russian Federation - 596,244,399 USD or 9.28%

4. Estonia - 501,943,307 USD or 7.78%

5. Poland - 427,401,602 USD or 6.63%

...

141. Algeria - 0 USD or 0,00%

Due to the fact that no import from Algeria has been registered, Latvia maintains a stable positive trade balance with Algeria.

Main export commodities to Egypt by type of commodity in the 1^st quarter of 2007 

Type of commodity	USD	Percentage of total exports
Total	831,659	100%
Timber and timber products (wood sawn or chipped lengthwise)	809,297	97.3%
Mineral products (peat, whether or not agglomerated)	22,362	2.7%

Trade dynamics between Latvia and Egypt from 2002 to the 1^st quarter of 2007

Year	Exports	Place	Imports	Place
2002	23,383,649	18	0	-
2003	9,018,914	32	0	-
2004	2,061,134	54	0	-
2005	8,539,658	36	0	-
2006	31,558,013	24	0	-
2007 I-VI	831,659	69	0	-

Investment

(according to data from Lursoft)

As of 4 October 2007, Algerian investment in equity of Latvia -registered companies amounted to LVL 1,980. One Latvian - Egyptian joint venture is operating in Latvia.

Legal framework

No agreements have been concluded between Latvia and Algeria.

Contacts

Embassy of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria in Poland