The basis for friendly relations between Latvia and Canada is the co-operation of the two countries in the Euro-Atlantic space. Latvia and Canada are united in their wish to participate in strengthening democracy and in the economic and social development of the world. The co-operation between Canada and Latvia as an EU and NATO member state has been successful at the parliamentary, government, academic, professional and NGO level. The Latvia - Canada interparliamentary co-operation group is working under the 9th Saeima, and is chaired by Ms Vaira Paegle. The bilateral relations of the countries are strengthened by the activities of the Latvian diaspora in Canada (approximately 21,000 members) represented by the Latvian National Federation in Canada (LNAK).

History of diplomatic relations

As a dominion of the United Kingdom, Canada recognised the Republic of Latvia on 26 January 1921. Canada has never recognised Latvia's incorporation in the Soviet Union. Between the two World Wars, several Honorary Consuls represented Latvia's interests in Canada, and the British Embassy in Riga represented Canada in Latvia. Canada supported the withdrawal of the army of the Russian Federation from the Baltic states.

On 26 August 1991, Canada was the first G-7 state to resume diplomatic relations with Latvia.

In November 1994, the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia was opened in Ottawa, the first embassy from the Baltic states in Canada. Prior to this (from October 1991), a Consulate of the Republic of Latvia had been operating in Toronto, but since 1992 - in Ottawa, headed by Honorary Consul-General Mr Guntis Silins. The Consulate discontinued its work after the opening of the Embassy.

Diplomatic and consular missions

On 11 February 2003, Mr Atis Sjanits was accredited as the Ambassador of Latvia to Canada.

In addition to the Embassy, there are three Latvian Honorary Consulates operating in Canada: Imants Rudolfs Purvs serves as Honorary Consul of Latvia in Toronto, Ontario province (as of 19 June 2003); Roberts Klaise is Latvia's Honorary Consul in Montreal, Quebec (as of 2 September 2004); and the duties of the Honorary Consul of Latvia in Victoria (province of British Columbia) are fulfilled by Mr Cedric Steele (as of 5 March 2002).

The present Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Canada to Latvia, Ms Claire Poulin, was accredited on 30 August 2005.

Economic co-operation

January - December 2006

• Export

1. Lithuania - 626,740,647 EUR or 14.11 % of total exports from Latvia

2. Estonia - 538,234,608 EUR or 12.12 %

3. Germany - 447,816,470 EUR or 10.07 %

4. Russian Federation - 415,342,445 EUR or 9.37 %

5. United Kingdom - 352,497,937 EUR or 7.93 %

...

25. Canada - 21,815,596 EUR or 0.49 % 

• Import

1. Germany - 1,278,230,457 EUR or 15.02 % of total imports to Latvia

2. Lithuania - 1,090,232,705 EUR or 12.81 %

3. Russian Federation - 710,081,879 EUR or 8.32  %

4. Estonia - 642,801,715 EUR or 7.56 %

5. Poland - 596,234,160 EUR or 7.01 %

...

34. Canada - 15,444, 325 EUR or 0.18 %

Latvia has a positive trade balance with Canada of EUR 6,371,271.

Main exports to Canada, by type of commodity, in 2006, million EUR

Type of commodity	Million EUR	Percentage of total exports
Total	21.816	100 %
Food industry products - Non-denaturised ethylated spirits, strong alcoholic beverages, liqueurs - 97 %	12.959	59.40 %
Wood pulp and its products - Wood sawn or chipped lengthwise- 51 % - Plywood, veneer sheets - 24 % - Builders'' joinery and carpentry, of wood - 23 %	2.483	11.38 %
Textiles and textile articles - Synthetic filament yarn, not put up for retail sale  - 76 %	1.678	7.69 %
Miscellaneous industrial goods - Furniture and parts thereof - 81 %	1.375	6.30 %
Stone, plaster, cement, glass, and ceramic products  - Glass fibres and articles thereof - 99 %	1.308	6.00 %
Machinery and mechanical appliances; electrical equipment - Insulated wire, optical fibre cables - 49 % - Electric motors and generators (reactive, hydraulic and pneumatic) - 25% -  Line telephone of telegraph electrical equipment - 18 %	1.261	5.78 %

Main imports to Canada, by type of commodity, in 2006, million EUR

Type of commodity	Million EUR	Percentage of total imports
Total	15.444	100 %
Products of chemical and allied industries - Medicines put up in measured doses or in forms or packings for retail sale - 84 %	4.993	32.33 %
Machinery and mechanical appliances; electrical equipment - Line telephone of telegraph electrical equipment - 26 % - Dish washing machines, etc, - 14 %	3.791	24.55 %
Stone, plaster, cement, glass, and ceramic products  - Articles of asphalt or of similar materials - 95 %	1.670	11.00 %
Prepared foodstuffs - Preparations of a kind used in animal feeding - 87 %	1.296	8.39 %

Trade dynamics between Latvia and Canada from 2002 to the first half of 2007, in EUR

Year	Export	Import
2002*	10,713,095	6,866,638
2003*	11,000,997	9,361,830
2004*	13,236,290	11,638,898
2005*[1]	16,795,447	15,071,767
2006	21,815,596	15,444,325
2007 Q2	9,115,486	11,424,068

Investment 

As of 2006 Q3, Canadian investment in the equity of Latvian registered companies totalled 1.3 million LVL. No Latvian direct investment in Canada was registered for this time period.

As of 8 June 2007, Canadian investment in the equity of Latvian registered companies totalled 1.206 million LVL, ranking it 44^th.

As of 8 June 2006, 72 Canadian - Latvian joint ventures were listed with the Register of Enterprises of the Republic of Latvia.

Principal investors:

• RIGA OVERSEAS INVESTMENTS INC. - 0.524 million LVL
• CESIS HOLDINGS, INC. - 0.165 million LVL
• Fedoulov Vladimir - 0.099 million LVL.

Two visits by Canadian businessmen, headed by a Latvian-born member of the Canadian Parliament, Sarmite Bulte, have taken place. On 11-12 November 1998, the first Canadian trade mission Baltic Express was held, followed by Baltic Express II - a second visit by Canadian entrepreneurs to Latvia on 13-14 September 2000.

Since 2002, the Baltic state embassies in Canada, in co-operation with the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, have held regular seminars on business and investment opportunities in the Baltic states. The first seminar was held in Ottawa on 23 May 2002, followed by a seminar in Montreal on 2 December 2002. On 28 May 2003, the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade hosted a round-table discussion/seminar on business and trade opportunities in the Baltic states, considering in particular the co-operation opportunities in the areas of commerce and tourism. A similar seminar was held in Toronto on 2 June 2003, and in Vancouver, the largest city in Western Canada, on 30 March 2004.

The Canada-Latvia Business Association (founded in 1999) opened its Toronto division on 2 April 2005.

On 8 March 2006, following the proposal of the Latvian Embassy in Canada, the Canada-Latvia Business Association (CLBA) joined the European Union Chamber of Commerce in Toronto.

On her state visit to Canada from 20 to 26 September 2006, President Vaira Vike-Freiberga was accompanied by a delegation of 30 businessmen. The delegation met with the Canadian businessmen in Quebec, Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa.

Defence and military co-operation

Bilateral co-operation between Latvia and Canada has mainly taken place within the framework of the Military Training Assistance Programme (MTAP). One of the key directions of this programme has been provision of English and French language training for Latvian military personnel and staff of the Ministry of Defence (for groups of 12 to 14 people every year). Active co-operation takes place as part of the training organised by the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre. The courses include the training of personnel of different military specialties (public relations, naval forces, human resources management, military law, technical and engineering experts, etc.) in connection with peacekeeping operations.

Co-operation between Latvia and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)

The projects implemented in Latvia by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) concluded their operations in Latvia in 2004. On 1 February 2005, a letter of intent was signed between the Foreign Ministries of Latvia and Canada providing for rendering of assistance to third countries in the area of development co-operation policy in the framework of the ODACE (Official Development Assistance in Central Europe) programme. In 2005, the implementation of two technical assistance projects in the area of customs and penal institutions in Moldova was completed. In 2006, the second stage of the border guard project was initiated.

During the previous ten years, in co-operation with CIDA, Latvian institutions and organisations have implemented projects in the sectors of environmental protection, education, societal integration, judicial reform, health care, and social care. The Baltic World Trade Organization Support Project jointly undertaken by Canada, Latvia and Lithuania stands among these projects. Its aim was to strengthen the reforms of Latvian and Lithuanian trade policy and to ensure their conformity to international commitments. The establishment of the Translation and Terminology Centre was another project implemented together with the Toronto Division of the Latvian National Federation in Canada.

In co-operation with CIDA and the Association of Canadian Universities and Colleges, the Latvian side has implemented the programme for the increase of the judicial reform capacity. As part of the programme, Latvian experts could learn from the Canadian experience with the aim to applying it for the establishment of a probation service in Latvia.

Major joint projects in the field of environmental protection and regional development are: "Cleansing of Territories of Former Soviet Army Military Bases", "Adaptation of the Former Military Base in the Karosta Navy Port in Liepaja to New Functions and the Planning of Sustainable Development", as well as the Latvian-Canadian housing co-operation project.

In the field of welfare, CIDA assisted in implementation of the project "Development of Professional Orientation and Consulting Service System in Latvia". Latvian health care specialists have participated in training courses in Canada on home care for mentally handicapped people.

Cultural and educational co-operation

On 26-28 May 2006, the New Riga Theatre presented the play The Long Life at the international theatre festival Carrefour international de théâtre de Québec in Quebec. On 25-28 May 2006, an independent film and audiovisual arts festival 2 Annas was held, with participants from Canada. On 26 May 2006, Latvia was represented for the first time with the film Waterball for the Fat Tomcat at the European Union film festival Eh! U - Meet the Europeans in Toronto. From 13 to 19 January 2006, the K.Suns cinema screened the Canadian films as part of The Canadian Film Week.

On 18 November 2005, the Latvian Embassy in Canada organised a screening of the film The Python by Laila Pakalnina. In September 2005, the film Fallen directed by Fred Kelemen was screened at the Vancouver International Film Festival. The Rimouski International Youth Film Festival in Quebec screened the animation film The Antlion by Dace Riduze.

From 8 to 16 July 2006, the cast of the musical Eslingena came to Latvia with nine performances at the Latvian National Theatre.

In April 2004, Latvian writers - Nora Ikstena, Knuts Skujenieks and Pauls Bankovskis - visited Canada to participate in the opening ceremony of the issue of Descant literature magazine dedicated to Latvia. In March of 2003, the Latvian National Library held an exhibition of Canadian books for children. Arturs Ozolins, a pianist of Latvian origin, is living and has an active concerts schedule in Canada.

The Festival of Baltic Cinema has become a traditional event in Canada. On 10 March 2005, the 5^th festival took place. On the first day of the festival the following films were shown: Found in America, a documentary by Sandris Jura, and Poem About Threshing, an animation film by Janis Cimermanis. On 9-11 March 2006, Ottawa hosted the 6^th Baltic Film Festival. During the Latvian Film Night, the Latvian Embassy in Canada presented an exhibition on tourism opportunities in Latvia. On 25 March 2006, the Latvian folklore evening took place in Montreal.

In May of 2004, a delegation of the Latvian Rectors' Council visited Canada with an aim of acquiring the experience of Canadian higher education supervision institutions.

Most significant visits and meetings

President of Latvia:
20-26 September 2006	State visit to Canada by the President of Latvia, Vaira Vike-Freiberga. During the visit, the President visited Quebec, Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa, and met with senior executives, including the Governor General Michaelle Jean, Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and speakers of both chambers of the Parliament. Meetings were held with the heads of local governments and city mayors - Quebec Prime Minister Mr Jean Charest, the Governor of Ontario Bartleman, the Mayor of Montreal Tremblay. The President addressed the Toronto Empire Club and the Baltic Federation. Among the members of the delegation there were also Aigars Stokenbergs, the Latvian Minister for Economy and Ainars Bastiks, the Minister for Children and Family Affairs. During the visit, the Agreement of the Government of Latvia and the Government of Canada concerning young citizens exchange  (age 18-35 years). The President of Latvia was awarded the highest award of Quebec Province and an honorary doctorate by the University of Ottawa.
4-6 June 2005	Working visit to Toronto by the President of Latvia, Vaira Vike-Freiberga. Meeting with representatives of the Latvian community, the foundation of the scholarship fund. Meeting with James K.Bartleman, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.
21 September 2004	During the UN General Assembly, President Vaira Vike-Freiberga met with Paul Martin, Prime Minister of Canada.
5-11 June 2004	During her working visit to Canada, President Vaira Vike-Freiberga participated in the ceremonial event of The Association for the Advancement of Baltic Studies in Toronto. President Vike - Freiberga also met with the representatives of the Latvian National Federation in Canada (LNAK) and the Latvian community in Montreal. On June 8, State President received the Medal of the Edouard Montpetit Foundation in the Montreal University. On June 9, Vaira Vike-Freiberga had a meeting with Jean Charest, Prime Minister of the province of Quebec. On June 10, the State President delivered a speech at the opening of the 65th annual convention of the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) and received the CPA award "Women and Psychology" for her contribution to the psychology of feminism.
11-14 June 2002	Visit by Vaira Vike-Freiberga, President of Latvia, to McGill University in Montreal to receive an honorary doctorate. Meeting with Mr Jean Chrétien, Prime Minister of Canada, in Ottawa.
7-13 May 2000	Visit to Ontario Province by Vaira Vike-Freiberga, President of Latvia, to receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Toronto. Meeting with Ms Hillary Weston, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, and Ms Elyse Allan, President of the Toronto Board of Trade.
24 August 1999	Meeting in Canada between Vaira Vike-Freiberga, President of Latvia, Mr Jean Chrétien, Prime Minister of Canada, and Mr Lloyd Axworthy, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada.
Members of Saeima:
10-14 April 2005	Members of the Saeima - Mr Oskars Kastens and Ms Vaira Paegle - participate in ODACE (Official Development Assistance in Central Europe) introductory visit.
6-9 October 2001	Participation by members of the Saeima - Mr Guntars Krasts, Mr Igors Solovjovs and Mr Aleksandrs Kirsteins - in a session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Ottawa.
1-7 April 2000	Official visit to Canada by Mr Janis Straume, Speaker of the Saeima. Meeting with the Speaker of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Commons of the Canadian Parliament.
Latvia's Minister of Foreign Affairs:
13 March 2005	Meeting with Pierre Pettigrew, Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs, within the framework of the UN Human Rights Committee in Geneva, Switzerland.
25-29 April 1995	Official visit to Canada by Mr Valdis Birkavs, Foreign Affairs Minister of Latvia.
Latvia's Minister of Defence:
24-30 October 2002	Visit to Canada by Mr Girts Valdis Kristovskis, Defence Minister of Latvia. Meeting with Mr John McCallum, the Canadian Minister of National Defence, and visit to the Canadian International Peacekeeping Training Centre.
19-20 March 2001	Reciprocal visit to Canada by the Defence Minister of Latvia, Mr Girts Valdis Kristovskis. Mr Kristovskis met with Mr Arthur Eggleton, the Canadian Minister of National Defence, and Mr David Pratt, Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on National Defence and Veterans Affairs, visited the Camp Borden centre for military training and the Latvian Canadian Cultural Centre in Toronto.
13-16 May 1998	Visit to Canada by Mr Talavs Jundzis, Minister for Defence. Mr Jundzis met with the Minister of Defence of Canada, representatives of the Department of Foreign Affairs, and representatives of the Canadian Parliament. During the meeting with Mr Arthur Eggleton, Minister of National Defence of Canada, a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministries of Defence of Latvia and Canada was signed.
Latvia's Minister of Justice:
18-24 January 2003	Visit to Canada by Mr Aivars Aksenoks, Minister for Justice of Latvia, to participate in the programme Judicial Reform Capacity Programme organised jointly by Latvia's Ministry of Justice and the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC).
Latvia's Minister of Welfare:
26-30 October 2005	Working visit to Canada by Ms Dagnija Stake, Minister for Welfare; meeting with the representatives of the Canadian social service.
Latvia's Minister of Regional Development and Local Government:
27 September - 2 October 2003	Visit by Mr Ivars Gaters, Minister for Regional Development and Local Government, to Canada; meeting with Mr Steven Mahoney, Secretary of State for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
Latvia's Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration:
15-21 October 2004	Meeting between Mr Nils Muiznieks, the Latvian Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration, and the Latvians living in Toronto, Canada, and the United States. The Minister also met with students and teachers from the Toronto Latvian High School.
Political consultations in Canada:
5-6 March 2007	Visit to Ottawa by Signe Jansone, Director of the Second Bilateral Relations Department
12 June 2006	Political consultations of Mr Ilgvars Klava, Under-Secretary of State of the Latvian Foreign Ministry, in Ottawa.
3 March 2006	Political consultations of the Under-Secretary of State of the Latvian Foreign Ministry, Mr Edgars Skuja, in Ottawa.
17-18 January 2005	Political consultations in Ottawa of Mr Andris Teikmanis, Under-Secretary of State of the Latvian Foreign Ministry.
Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs:
28 November 2006	Meeting between Peter MacKay, Foreign Minister of Canada with the Latvian Foreign Minister Artis Pabriks, within NATO Summit in Riga.
7-9 September 2001	Official to Latvia visit by Mr John Manley, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada.
2 September 1999	Working visit to Latvia by Mr Lloyd Axworthy, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada; meeting with the President of Latvia and a joint press briefing with Mr Indulis Berzins, the Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs.
3-4 September 1995	Visit to Riga by Mr Andre Ouellet, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada.
Canadian Defence Minister:
12-13 September 2000	Visit to Latvia by Arthur Eggleton, the Canadian Defence Minister; meetings with with Mr Andris Berzins, Prime Minister of Latvia; Mr Girts Valdis Kristovskis, Defence Minister of Latvia; and President of Latvia, Ms Vaira Vike-Freiberga.
Canadian Members of Parliament:
18-19 July 2006	Visit to Latvia by Mr Peter Van Loan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada.
20-21 May 2003	Official visit to Latvia by Mr Peter Milliken, Canada's Speaker for the House of Commons, and the Canadian parliamentary delegation.
13-14 October 1998	Visit to Latvia of the Canadian parliamentary delegation, headed by Mr Gilbert Parent, Speaker of the House of Commons.
Political consultations in Latvia:
11 November 2005	Visit to Riga by a delegation of the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Citizenship and Immigration.

Legal framework 

The information on bilateral agreements signed between Latvia and Canada is available here.

Links

Embassy of the Republic of Latvia in Canada: http://www.ottawa.am.gov.lv/
Honorary Consuls of Latvia to Canada: http://www.ottawa.am.gov.lv/lv/index.html?id=6 
Embassy of Canada in Latvia: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/canadaeuropa/baltics/

[1] Calculated on basis of the average exchange rate between EUR and USD