Relations between Latvia and Australia are positive and friendly; however, there is still a great potential for the development of bilateral contacts. Latvia has always appreciated Australia's decision to receive about 25,000 Latvian exiles in the aftermath of the World War II; the positive value of this fact on the development of close Latvian-Australian relations cannot be underestimated. The contribution of the Latvian people and the Baltic people at large to Australia's economic, social and cultural development has been acknowledged by the passage of a resolution by the Australian Parliament. Both Latvia and Australia have deployed their troops to Iraq and Afghanistan.

History of diplomatic relations

Australia recognised the independence of Latvia in 1921 when Latvia joined the League of Nations.

Australia did not recognise the incorporation of the Baltic states into the Soviet Union in 1940.

On 3 August 1974, the Australian Government lead by the Labour Prime Minister Mr E. Gough Whitlam declared that Australia no longer recognised the Baltic states de iure and deleted the Honorary Consul of Latvia in Melbourne from the consular list. However, on 19 December 1975, the newly elected coalition of Liberal-Country parties led by Prime Minister Malcolm J. Fraser revoked the above-mentioned statement.

Australia was among the first countries to recognise the independence of Latvia as early as 27 August 1991 and declared its intention to establish diplomatic relations with the Baltic states.

On 27 August 2006, Latvia and Australia marked the 15^th anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic relations.

From 28 August to 3 September 2006, the State Secretary of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Normans Penke, visited Australia and New Zealand where the first political consultations of the respective foreign ministries were held.

From 14 to 15 November 2006, the Australian Ambassador to Latvia, Richard Anthony Rowe, made a working visit to Latvia. As part of the Ambassador's visit, the Embassy of Australia and its partners organized an Australia-Latvia business seminar. Ambassador Rowe met with Foreign Ministry officials and State Secretary Normans Penke.

On 29 and 30 January 2007 Richard Anthony Rowe made his farewell visit to Latvia 

On 2 March 2007, in the Riga Castle, President Vaira Vike-Freiberga presented the letters of accreditation to Indulis Berzins, the first Latvian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Australia.

On 8 March 2007, in Paris, France, Foreign Minister Artis Pabriks met with Veronique Ingram, the Australian Ambassador to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.

On 9 May 2007, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Latvia to Australia, Indulis Berzins, presented his credentials to the Governor-General of Australia, Michael Jeffery, thus becoming the first non-resident Latvian Ambassador to Australia.

Embassy of Australia and Australian ambassadors

In political matters Australia is represented in Latvia by its Embassy in Stockholm, whereas the Embassy of Australia in Berlin is in charge of immigration and consular issues.

On 29 and 30 January 2007, the Australian Ambassador to Latvia, Richard Anthony Rowe, made his farewell visit to Latvia.

In October 2007 the accreditation ceremony for Craig Brown, the new Australian Ambassador to Latvia will take place.  

1. The first Ambassador of Australia, John Burgess, who resided in Copenhagen, presented his credentials on 7 September 1991 as one of the first foreign ambassadors to come to Latvia on an accreditation visit after the restoration of Latvia's independence.
2. From 1995 to 1997, Australia was represented in Latvia by Ambassador Gary Conroy who also resided in Copenhagen.
3. Since 2 December 1997, when Ambassador Judith Pead was accredited, the Ambassador of Australia has resided in Stockholm.
4. From 2 March 1999 to 7 January 2003, Australia's Ambassador to Latvia was Stephen Christopher Brady.
5. From 15 April to 7 January 2003, Australia's Ambassador to Latvia was Richard Anthony Rowe.

The first Honorary Consul of Australia took office on 13 December 1995.

As of July 2004, Australia's Honorary Consul to Latvia is Mr Janis Egils Sala.

Representation of Latvia in Australia

Latvia's interests in Australia are represented by Honorary Consuls:

1. Honorary Consul Valdis Tomanis in Adelaide (South Australia);
2. Honorary Consul Janis Roberts Delins in Melbourne (in states of Victoria, Tasmania, Western Australia, and in Australia's external territories).

Parliamentary co-operation

On 18 January 2007, a Latvian-Australian-New Zealand parliamentary co-operation group consisting of 25 deputies was set up under the 9^th Saeima. The group is chaired by Ms Erika Zommere of the Tautas partija- TP (The People's Party), and co-chaired by Vents Armands Krauklis (TP).

On 23-29 September 2003, an Australian parliamentary delegation made a visit to Latvia (the previous visit took place in 1994). The delegation was led by Senator Grant Chapman, and also included Senator Jeannie Ferris, the Hon. Con Sciacca MP, Maria Vamvakinou MP, and Neil Bessel, Secretary. The delegation was accompanied by the Ambassador of Australia, Richard Rowe. During the visit, the Australian parliamentary delegation extended an invitation to the Speaker of the Saeima (Parliament of Latvia) to visit Australia.

On 5-11 August, the working visit to Australia by Indulis Emsis, the Speaker of the Saeima, and representatives of the Australian and New Zealand Deputies co-operation group, took place. This was a reply visit to the September 2003 Latvia tour by members of the Australian Parliament. 

During the visit, the Speaker of the Saeima met with Paul Calvert, the President of the Australian Senate, and David Hawker, the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Mr Emsis also visited Latvian societies in Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide, where he met with Latvians resident in Australia, as well as with Janis Roberts Delins and Dr. Valdis Tomanis, the Latvian Honorary Consuls in Australia.  

Bilateral economic relations

The volume of trade between Latvia and Australia has not been substantial; however, to date it has shown a tendency to increase.

In March 2003, the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry organised the first trip by Latvian entrepreneurs to Australia.

A second visit to Australia and New Zealand organised by the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry took place between 12 March-1 April 2005. The aim of the visit was to identify opportunities for co-operation with Australia and New Zealand, to determine prospective areas of economic co-operation, and to promote the development of economic contacts between Latvian and Australian businessmen.

In the first half of 2006, the main export commodities from Latvia to Australia were base metals and articles of base metals (29 per cent of total export) and food industry products.

The main import commodities from Australia are textiles and textile articles (46%). Australian wines rank 1^st among the food industry products (24%), and machinery and mechanical appliances (11.5%) rank only 3^rd among the goods imported from Australia. Prepared and tinned fish products are also among the goods exported to Australia.

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

1^st half of 2007

• Exports

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

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

3. Russia - 339,883,752 USD or 10.28 %

4. Germany - 286,313,650 USD or 8.66 %

5. United Kingdom - 243,271,992 USD or 7.37 %

...

62. Australia - 1,112,994 USD or 0.03 %

• Imports

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

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

3. Russia - 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 %

...

56. Australia - 1,861,858 USD or 0.03 %

In the 1^st half of 2007 Latvia had a negative trade balance with Australia of - 748,864 USD.

Main export commodities to Australia by type of commodity in the 1^st half of 2007

Type of commodity	USD	Share of total exports
Total	1,112,994	100 %
Food industry products	340,590	30.60 %
Fabricated metal products	280,874	25.24 %
Various manufactured articles	150,324	13.51 %
Machinery and equipment, electric appliances	135,755	12.20 %
Products of stone, gypsum, cement, glass and ceramics	85,982	7.73 %
Textile materials and articles	41,160	3.70 %
Wood and products of wood	36,799	3.31 %
Chemical products and products of related sectors	23,258	2.09 %
Rawhide, leather, furs and articles thereof	15,697	1.41 %
Plastics and products thereof, natural rubber and rubber articles	1,548	0.14 %
Transport vehicles	444	0.04 %
Wood paper-mass, paper and carton	314	0.03 %
Vegetable products	246	0.02 %
Art and antique articles	3	0.00 %

Main import commodities from Australia by type of commodity in the 1^st half of 2007

Type of commodity	USD	Share of total imports
Total	1,861,858	100 %
Textile materials and articles Wool, not carded or combed – 99.45 %	917,431	49.28 %
Food industry products Wine of fresh grapes – 99.85 %	589,833	31.68 %
Chemical products and products of related sectors	97,455	5.23 %
Machinery and mechanical appliances; electrical equipment	59,062	3.17 %
Transport vehicles	39,420	2.12 %
Animals and animal produce	36,064	1.94 %
Miscellaneous industrial products	25,523	1.37 %
Precious and semi-precious stones, precious metals and metals plated with precious metals and their articles	18,598	1.00 %
Wood paper-mass, paper and carton	17,855	0.96 %
Optical devices and equipment (including medical), clocks, watches, musical instruments	17,636	0.95 %
Mineral products	15,881	0.85 %
Products of stone, gypsum, cement, glass and ceramics	14,373	0.77 %
Rawhide, leather, furs and articles thereof	10,407	0.56 %
Plastics and products thereof, natural rubber and rubber articles	1,582	0.08 %
Metals and articles of metals	392	0.02 %
Wood and products of wood	243	0.01 %
Footwear, hats, umbrellas and other articles	90	0.00 %
Vegetable products	13	0.00 %

Trade dynamics between Latvia and Australia from 1998 to the 1^st half of 2007, USD 

Year	Export	Import
1998	837,477	6,792,415
1999	574,728	4,365,274
2000	1,466,481	5,303,523
2001	889,639	4,742,636
2002	2,901,674	3,844,511
2003	1,654,263	1,808,467
2004	1,802,869	2,699,772
2005	2,691,201	2,788,672
2006	2,194,811	3,739,807
2007 Q2	1,112,994	1,861,858

Investment

As of the 1^st half of 2007, any residue of Australian direct investment in Latvia, as well as any residue of Latvian direct investment in Australia, had not been registered.

The Australia Group

On 7 June 2004 in Paris, the plenary session of The Australia Group took place, during which Latvia was accepted into the organisation of the member states to this export regime.

Latvian community in Australia

In the end of World War II, Australia received a great number of Latvian exiles who fled the atrocities of war. Currently, there are more than 20 thousand Latvians and their descendants living in Australia. Latvian centres and organisations in Australia lead a life rich in cultural events. The Latvian Federation in Australia and New Zealand unites 74 organisations and churches. Since 2006, the Chairman of the Federation is Mr Davis Darzins.

In the national referendum on Latvia's membership of the European Union held on 20 September 2003, Australia accounted for the majority of voters in foreign countries.

In 2006, for the elections of the 9^th Saeima, the total number of voters in the three constituencies of the Commonwealth of Australia was 609.

Latvia has always appreciated Australia's decision to receive Latvian exiles in the aftermath of World War II; the positive value of this fact on development of close Latvian-Australian relations cannot be underestimated. Latvia is pleased that the contribution of the Latvian people and the Baltic people at large to Australia's economic, social and cultural development has been acknowledged by the passage of a resolution by the Australian Parliament. Several Australians of Latvian origin have taken up high positions in Australian government institutions with H.E. Bruno Krumins, the current Lieutenant-Governor of South Australia, being the most eminent example.

On 19 May 2000, a Latvian-Australian community, chaired by Mr Ilgvars Cirulis, was established in Latvia. Each year on 26 January, the community celebrates Australia's official national day - Australia Day, and the annual anniversary of international de iure recognition of the Republic of Latvia.

Education

Co-operation in the education sphere with Australia takes place mostly through special pilot projects or as part of the Socrates/Erasmus programme, and is open for all the countries participating in Socrates, including Latvia. Following Latvia's accession to the European Union, co-operation between both countries has intensified.

On 4 August 2005, the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in co-operation with the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Australia organised the 11^th annual seminar on education opportunities in Australia.

Cairns is Riga's sister city in Australia. Both cities signed the agreement on co-operation in 1990. Among the members of the Cairns co-operation group are Latvians who reside in Australia and who promote a number of projects, including the exchange of students and co-operation among schools.

In 2005, the Chief Executive Director of the Cairns City Council, David Farmer, took part in the annual conference and exhibition WaterfrontExpo 2005 in Riga.

Culture

On 6 January 2000, the Australian-Latvian community organised a festive meeting and a charity concert to mark the 212^th anniversary of Australia.

On 9 July 2005, James Morrison, an Australian trumpeter, performed at the international music festival Rigas Ritmi. James Morrison is considered a virtuoso in the true sense of the word; besides the trumpet he is also a master of trombone, euphonium, flugelhorn, tuba, saxophone, and piano.

The Latvian films of 2005 were screened at a number of film festivals in Australia: the Melbourne International Animation Festival, the Melbourne Independent Filmmakers Festival, the Melbourne International Film Festival, and the film festival Abundant Soul. Vladimir Lescov's Insomnia won the best film category at the Melbourne International Animation Festival.

On 3 November 2005, the publishing house Dienas Gramata released a novel And The Ass Saw The Angel by the Australian musician, songwriter and actor Nick Cave, which is his first novel and has received international acclaim. The novel is considered one of the brightest and unusual literature debuts.

At the end of 2005, Sydney hosted the 30^th annual gathering of Latvian Youth in Australia.

On 26 January 2006, the Australian-Latvian community organised the annual festive event on the occasion of the de iure recognition of Latvia and Australia's official national day - Australia Day.

On 22 April 2006, the Sydney Latvian Choir marked its 50^th anniversary.

From 8 June to 27 August 2006, Sydney hosted the 15^th Biennale of Sydney. Latvia was represented at the event by artists Katrina Neiburga and Evelina Deicmane.

In July 2006, an exhibition of jewellery designed by Australian artists Helge Larsen and Darani Lewers was opened at the Museum of Decorative Applied Arts in Riga.

On 16-24 September 2006, two Australian feature films: Alex Proyas' Spirits of the Air, Gremlins of the Clouds and Hubert Sauper's Darwin's Nightmare, will be screened at the Riga International Film Forum Arsenals.

From 26 to 31 December 2006 in Adelaide, the 51^st Australian Latvian Festival of Arts took place. During the opening concert of the festival, Janis Laurs, principal cellist of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and Genevieve Svenne - Lang, principal harp of the Tasmanian Orchestra with other musicians performed "Canto di Forza" by Peteris Vasks. On 30 December, the youth choir "Balsis" gave their concert, and the vocal group "Anima Solla" performed on 31 December.

On 3 May 2007 at Andrejsala, as part of the "Future Shorts" programme, two Australian short films were demonstrated.

From 8 to 28 May, in the gallery "Pedants" displayed the exhibition of Ilze Abika, titled "Kengurdziesma" (Kangaroo Song). Most of the works, inspired by the distinctive Australian country environment, were created in Australia, as part of the Artist Residency Programme.

Exchange of visits

21 -30 November 1993	Visit to Australia by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Georgs Andrejevs.
16 January -2 February 1993	Visit to Australia by the State Minister of Culture of Latvia, Janis Dripe.
4 -7 September 1994	Visit by the Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives, Stephen Martin, and a delegation of the parliamentarians of Australia to the Saeima.
12 - 18 October 1996	Visit to Australia by the Speaker of the Saeima, Alfreds Cepanis, and a delegation of the Latvian Saeima.
22 September - 2 October 2000	Visit to Australia by the Minister of Education and Science of Latvia, Karlis Greiskalns.
9 - 19 August 2001	Visit to Latvia by Deputy Governor General of South Australia, Bruno Krumins.
23 - 29 September 2003	Visit to Latvia by a Parliamentary delegation led by Senator Grant Chapman. The Delegation also included the Hon. Con Sciacca MP, Senator Jeannie Ferris, Maria Vamvakinou MP, and Neil Bessel, Secretary.
2 - 14 January 2006	Visit to Australia by the Latvian Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration, Ainars Latkovskis; meeting with the representatives of the Latvian communities in Australia.
19 - 26 April 2006	Visit to Latvia by the Minister of Welfare of Latvia, Dagnija Stake. Participation in the 3rd International Symposium on Career Development and Public Policy.
28 - 30 August 2006	Political consultations of the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
14 - 15 November 2006	Working visit by Richard Rowe, the Australian Ambassador to Latvia
29 - 30 January 2007	Farewell visit by Richard Anthony Rowe, the Australian Ambassador to Latvia.
9 May 2007	Indulis Berzins, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Latvia to Australia, presented his credentials to the Governor-General of Australia, thus becoming the first Latvian non-resident Ambassador to Australia.
5 – 11 August 2007	Official visit to Australia by Indulis Emsis, Speaker of the Saeima, and by representatives of Latvian Parliament.

Legal framework

• Agreement between the Office of the Prosecutor-General of Latvia and the Australian Attorney-General's Department Special Investigation Unit on co-operation and assistance in pursuing war criminals (signed on 15 October 1995);
• Treaty between the Republic of Latvia and Australia on Extradition (signed on 14 July 2000; effective as of 16 January 2005; signatories: Ingrida Labucka - Latvian Minister of Justice, and Stephen Brady - Ambassador of Australia);
• As of 1 January 2003, Latvia unilaterally introduced a visa-free regime for the citizens of Australia who use a travel document of their country of citizenship.

Contact information 

Mr Janis Egils Sala, Honorary Consul of Australia to Latvia

Mr Janis Roberts Delins, Honorary Consul of Latvia to Australia (State of Queensland)

Dr Valdis Tomanis, Honorary Consul of Latvia to Australia (State of South Australia)